Education inequality is a top priority for CPS's new director, but mum on the CEO's future

CHICAGO (WGNNew school board chairman Brandon Johnson believes the vision of the city’s top official defies scrutiny, but did not provide a definitive answer Friday on Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez’s job security.

“We want to make sure that Black students in particular know that they are loved, seen and valued,” said Mayor Johnson, who met with students at Collins Academy in North Lawndale.

Chicago’s mayor celebrated an investment in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programming with his new school board president, the Rev. Mitchell Johnson.

The planned closure of charter schools is at the top of the new Board of Education’s first public meeting

“If the city is on fire, talk to me about nothing but putting out the fire. The fire we are facing now is inequality,” said Mitchell Johnson.

The new school board president spoke to reporters for the first time Friday, amid a tumultuous time for the district. The previous school board resigned en masse about the push to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez. Despite the board taking no action on his employment during its first meeting Thursday, Mitchell Johnson was asked if that would be his top priority.

“That’s a loaded question and I don’t have an answer,” Mitchell Johnson responded. “Task one is to take into account the plight of black students.”

President Johnson also responded to a report of his suspension in Ohio and a lien once placed on his home for non-payment of child support.

“I was put forward for this position because of my leadership qualities and my ability to get things done, that’s the truth,” he replied. “The good news is that I was not hired as an accountant nor as a lawyer.”

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