The Chicago Board of Education meets after President Rev. Mitchell Johnson resigns over controversial posts

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Board of Education will meet Friday, just one day after the newly appointed president’s resignation.

Six board members appointed by the mayor will have their first official meeting Friday morning without the Rev. Mitchell Johnson.

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Johnson resigned on Thursday after a Jewish publication exposed dozens of his controversial Facebook posts about women, 9/11 conspiracy theories and views on Israel.

Jewish mothers of Chicago Public Schools students are relieved he is no longer at the helm of the Chicago Board of Education.

“My children are visibly Orthodox in Chicago’s public schools. And I have to tell you, when I heard that our mayor would appoint someone to such a position, I had a visceral reaction,” Estie Spero said.

Gov. JB Pritzker and more than 40 of Chicago’s 50 city council members shared the same reaction after seeing the anti-Semitic statements.

Some are now questioning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s vetting process for his newly appointed school board.

“How have they been vetted and should we dig deeper into their background and make sure they are qualified to be in charge of children?” said 50th Ward Ald. Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council.

Last month, CPS said the vetting process for all board members included “background checks, financial investigations and conflicts of interest.”

So far, the new school board members have declined the City Council’s request to appear in the council chambers and answer questions.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will work quickly to find a new board chairman.

Friday’s agenda includes policies on enrollment, student transfers, student religious practices and various other contracts.