Chicago Mayor Johnson: Reshaping the School Board, Seeking Budget Solutions

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced that his entire hand-picked Board of Education will be stepping down. This has sparked criticism from 41 out of 50 aldermen, who warn of further instability in the school district. They're demanding a hearing before new board members are appointed on Monday. The board's departure follows their failure to act on Mayor Johnson's plans to tackle a looming budget shortfall with a loan or remove Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. The district faces significant future deficits and is in contract talks with the Chicago Teachers Union, where Johnson was once an organizer. Mayor Johnson sat down with WBEZ Education Reporter Sarah Karp to explain his decisions. He argued that he's simply fulfilling his campaign promises. He pointed out that previous administrations left him with a heap of financial problems, including school closures and privatization. Johnson believes that the new board members will help him achieve his vision for public education. He's also hoping state lawmakers will provide additional revenue to avoid budget cuts that disproportionally affect Black and Brown children. If the money doesn't come through, Johnson aims to avoid dramatic measures like layoffs. He believes it's a problem that affects not just Chicago but the entire state of Illinois.

Actions