CPS CEO Pedro Martinez provides testimony at a Chicago Board of Education meeting on Sept. 26, 2024. [Livestream]

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board of Education didn’t act on CPS CEO Pedro Martinez’s contract or on a proposal to take out a high-interest loan to help shore up its budget at its Thursday evening meeting, but it did vote on a school closure moratorium following allegations from the teachers union that Martinez was looking at closing or consolidating schools.

The school closure rumors have been called “misinformation” by the CEO, who was asked by Mayor Brandon Johnson to resign a few weeks ago but declined to do so, citing the “instability” that could follow in a Tribune op-ed last week.

“I absolutely have no plans to recommend closing schools or consolidating any CPS schools,” Martinez reiterated at the Board of Education Thursday, while also noting that it wouldn’t be a decision he’d be allowed to make alone anyways. “Any school closing or consolidation would need to be approved by the board and would involve robust engagement with the school community.” 

Still, in order to fully rebuff the rumors, Martinez called for approval of the moratorium resolution passed Thursday, although it is symbolic and could be reversed. 

The resolution places a moratorium on closures, consolidations, and phase-outs for district-managed schools until July 1, 2026, just before the 2026-2027 school year, to delay any and all school closures or consolidations until the 21-member elected school board is in place in early 2027.  

The resolution also states that school closures, consolidations and phase-outs will not occur during Martinez’s tenure. His current contract expires July 1, 2026.  

Last week, Johnson did not outright criticize Martinez in an interview with the Tribune but told the newspaper the school district needed a new direction and that he had been elected to “transform” CPS, “particularly for Black and brown children who have been marginalized for decades in this city.” 

The mayor told the Tribune the school system needed better English as a second language services, library resources, bus services, special education services and smaller class sizes. 

Johnson has come into conflict with Martinez over the mayor’s desire for the school district to take out a “payday” loan to help plug its budget deficit, cover raises for teachers that are still being negotiated and so the district can help the city cover municipal pension obligations. 

Martinez opposes the loan idea, and Gov. JB Pritzker also cast skepticism on the proposal last week, saying, “Borrowing to pay for operating expenses in a business, in government is not a great idea unless you know how you’re going to pay for that because it’s going to come due.” 

The practice of shifting the pension cost from the city to CPS began under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and the city is still waiting on a $175 million reimbursement it says the school district owes it for pension contributions for non-teacher staff, and the lack of that funding has contributed to the city’s anticipated $222.9 million end-of-year budget deficit, officials have said. 

Last week, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) House of Delegates cast a unanimous vote of no confidence in Martinez.  

Related: Martinez denies school closure rumors after CTU ‘no confidence’ vote 

But Martinez has plenty of people in his corner. Nearly half the City Council and various civic leaders have signed a letter in support of Martinez. Signatures include Cook County Comm. Michael Scott (D-2), former CPS CEOs Arne Duncan, Janice Jackson and Jesse Ruiz, Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, City Clerk Anna Valencia, Latino Leadership Council Chairman David Andalcio, Rise Chicago Executive Director Jennifer Guzman, Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Lou Sandoval and One Future Illinois President Michael Ruemmler. 

Two alderpeople spoke in support of Martinez at the board meeting. 

“Chicago Public Schools needs stability and consistent leadership,” said Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36). “Pedro has driven gains in both student achievement and staff morale at Chicago Public Schools. It is in the interest of both the city and our schools to ensure that the next generation is not saddled with debts they did not seek to take on.” 

Martinez’s refusal to enter into payday loans “should be lauded, not punished,” Villegas said. 

“We need stability right now,” said Ald. Nick Sposato (38) while wearing a “Vote for Pedro” shirt from the film “Napoleon Dynamite.” “This is a terrible time during negotiations. I don’t believe there’s anybody in the wings or anything like that … Who’s going to want this job?” 

Not all comments were supportive. CTU Vice President Jackson Potter said during public comment, “CEO, if you could exert a fraction of the energy and chutzpah you’ve exercised to defend your job to champion our students and demand full funding, we’d be well on our way to closing this projected [CPS budget] deficit.” 

And mayoral ally Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25) said, “It is time that the Board of Education hold CPS accountable.”