Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced new members of the city’s school board on Monday following the resignation of all seven previous members amid a conflict over control of the public school system.
Johnson introduced six new appointees and indicated a seventh would be named later. These members, though still being vetted, are expected to remain on the board when it expands to a hybrid model in January, which will consist of 11 mayoral appointees and 10 elected members.
The disagreement centered around the mayor’s push to oust the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Pedro Martinez, and to approve short-term loans for a new teachers union contract.
“It would be disappointing and irresponsible for Mayor Johnson to push for such a risky move just to lower the city’s own deficit. There is nothing progressive, transparent, or accountable about such a move,” 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez wrote on X.
“The fact that this pressure would lead to an entire board — all of which were appointed by the mayor — to resign is unprecedented and deeply alarming,” he added.
The board members, resisting these actions, chose to step down instead.
The mass resignation comes ahead of the district’s shift to a hybrid elected and appointed board, a move that could influence future education policy.
Although the new appointees don’t require City Council approval, many aldermen have called for a hearing to address the situation.
