Katrina Adams Reacts to CPS Special Board Meeting and CEO Sacking, on Eve of Winter Break

This is beyond absurd. It feels sneaky, slick, and conniving to fire a CEO simply because [he] won’t do exactly what you want. It makes Mayor Johnson look like a hypocrite with the new co-governance narrative he’s promoting. Johnson is hosting meetings around the city in various communities, focusing on co-governance. But why is co-governance not on the table when it comes to CPS parents, students, and community members?

If Mayor Johnson wanted Pedro out so badly, he could have waited until the end of the school year. That would have looked better and been more stable for CPS. I understand the CTU helped the Mayor get into office, and Johnson wants to stay loyal to the Union, but he is the Mayor of all of Chicago – not just the CTU.

I recently attended a city event where the Mayor was present. It was telling that no one rushed to take pictures with him as he walked around. Instead, there were hostile stares and headshakes. His city doesn’t believe in him or his leadership anymore. Nobody even wanted to shake his hand.

If Johnson truly believed in the newly elected board, he would have waited until the new board members officially took their positions and allowed them to make such a significant decision. This highlights the need for parents on the school board because we have a vested interest in the success of our scholars. With parents on the board, I firmly believe CPS decisions would look different.

If money is the problem, CPS needs to explore additional ways to generate revenue exclusively for CPS. Perhaps we could implement something like large digital advertising screens downtown, similar to New York, or reclaim revenue sources like parking that the city previously outsourced. These steps could help reduce the deficit.

Now that CEO Pedro Martinez has been fired, if this CTU contract is finalized before the new board takes office, it would show the characteristics of Johnson as another politician of CROOK County.

Ultimately, this issue highlights the outsized importance of money in politics. And underscores the persistent divide between the rich and the poor. Wealthy families are not concerned with CPS issues because their children don’t go to CPS. These challenges only affect those of us living in generational poverty, forcing us to endure decisions that negatively impact our students. Living in a capitalist society is a daily reminder that money is valued more than people.