E4E-Chicago Statement on Special Session of Board of Education and Potential Termination of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez

Evan Stone, Co-Founder and CEO of Educators for Excellence issued the following statement regarding the last-minute Friday special session of the Chicago Board of Education, where the termination of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez is on the table:

“The decision to vote on the termination of CEO Pedro Martinez on the eve of winter break–in a last-minute session with no advance notice–and just weeks before a new hybrid school board is seated, is both disheartening and disturbing. We call on the board to delay the vote until the new and more representative board is seated in the new year. During the holiday season, Chicago’s students and families should not be subjected to abrupt and secretive actions at the final hour that prioritize political interests over the well-being of our children.”

“We are at a critical point of transformation in Chicago’s school governance. As we shift to a hybrid elected and appointed board, we need decisions that build trust and reflect the voices of educators, parents, and students. Instead, this rushed vote undermines confidence in the process and risks further destabilizing our schools.”

“E4E-Chicago expresses its extreme disappointment with the current board’s attempt to undermine the stability that our schools need at this moment. Students, families, educators, and the city of Chicago don’t deserve last-minute political maneuvering. They deserve transparency and thoughtful leadership.”

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About Educators for Excellence

Founded by public school teachers, Educators for Excellence is a growing movement of more than 35,000 educators, united around a common set of values and principles for improving student learning and elevating the teaching profession. We work together to identify issues that impact our schools, create solutions to these challenges, and advocate for policies and programs that give all students access to a quality education. 
For more information, please visit e4e.org.