Johnson’s New CPS Board to Meet for the First Time

A New Era Begins for Chicago Public Schools

Three weeks after the entire Chicago Board of Education resigned, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new board will meet for the first time on Thursday. The school board’s meetings were delayed one week as the mayor’s new appointees went through an onboarding process. The public will get a first real look at the people who will be tasked with following the mayor’s orders on a couple of key issues – at least for the next two months.

Board Members Announced

The board is now scheduled to hold its monthly agenda review committee meeting – where its members and the public get an initial look at district proposals – on Thursday, followed by its first full board meeting on November 1. One of the new board members, Rafael Yáñez, is a hate crimes and civil rights investigator at the Chicago Police Department who previously ran for City Council in the 15th Ward, calling himself the "progressive voice" in that crowded race against incumbent Ald. Ray Lopez.

Leadership Team Announced

The Rev. Mitchell Johnson, who was one of six appointees Johnson unveiled at a news conference this month, is set to be named Board of Education president. Mary Gardner, another Johnson appointee, will be vice president. The other new board members are Olga Bautista, Michilla Blaise, Debby Pope, and Frank Thomas.

Impending Changes

It’s unclear how many of these seven will remain on the board in January, when the new 21-member partially appointed, partially elected school board will be seated. Voters will choose 10 members on Election Day, November 5, and the mayor will appoint another 10, plus the board president soon after. By law, the elected and appointed members have to live on different sides of their district.

Priorities Ahead

The new board will likely be asked to do what the old board didn’t: settle a contract with the Chicago Teachers Union, fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, and find a solution to the school system’s budget deficit, whether that’s a short-term loan proposed by the mayor or something else.

FAQs

• When does the new Board of Education meet for the first time?
  • The new board is scheduled to meet on November 1.
• What is the composition of the new board?
  • The board consists of seven members: Rev. Mitchell Johnson, Mary Gardner, Olga Bautista, Michilla Blaise, Debby Pope, Frank Thomas, and Rafael Yáñez.
• How will the board’s composition change in January 2024?
  • The board’s composition will change with the seating of the new 21-member school board, composed of 10 elected members and 10 appointed members, plus the board president.