Pedro Martinez Sends CPS Board a Cease-and-Desist Letter after Members Attend Union Bargaining Session

Background

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez has taken a drastic step in his ongoing power struggle with the Chicago Board of Education. Lawyers for Martinez have sent a cease-and-desist letter to board members after they attended a bargaining session with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).

The Letter

The letter, sent on Monday, asserts that the board’s actions "unlawfully infringe on and interfere" with Martinez’s authority as the "sole" representative of the board in negotiations. It demands that the board members stop any attempts to "unlawfully diminish or interfere" with Martinez’s power and authority as CEO.

Union Reaction

The CTU responded to the letter by saying that the board’s participation in the bargaining session helped them land "tentative agreements for better health care." However, they also criticized CPS representatives for "obstructing" progress on conversations about addressing racial disparities in teacher evaluations.

A New Development

This incident comes as a monthslong CPS saga comes to a head. The CPS board recently fired Martinez without cause, which will keep him in his $360,706-a-year job for six months. The board has also considered installing Sean Harden, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick for new board president, as interim co-CEO during that period to freeze Martinez out of key decisions.

Previous Tensions

The tension between Martinez and the CPS board is not new. At the end of a last-minute meeting five days before Christmas, the board fired Martinez without cause. The board said Martinez’s duties would be modified but didn’t explain how. Martinez has since filed a 44-page lawsuit against the board, alleging that they breached his contract. A hearing is set for Tuesday.

What’s Next

The situation is likely to escalate in the coming days. Martinez’s lawyers will likely continue to push for the board to back off, while the board will likely continue to assert its authority. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the CPS district and the teachers who work there.

Conclusion

The cease-and-desist letter sent by Martinez’s lawyers to the CPS board marks a significant escalation in the ongoing power struggle between the CEO and the board. The outcome of this conflict will have significant implications for the future of the CPS district and the teachers who work there. One thing is clear: the situation is likely to continue to unfold in the coming days, and the tension between Martinez and the board is unlikely to abate anytime soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Pedro Martinez?
  • Pedro Martinez is the CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
• Who is the Chicago Board of Education?
  • The Chicago Board of Education is the governing body of CPS.
• What is the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)?
  • The Chicago Teachers Union is the labor union that represents the teachers of CPS.
• Why did the board fire Martinez without cause?
  • The reasons for the board’s decision are not publicly disclosed.