Chicago Board of Education to host community meetings throughout search for new CPS CEO

The Chicago Board of Education is hosting meetings throughout the city before it chooses its next superintendent and CEO.

Throughout May and June, there will be an event in each of the 10 CPS Elected School Board districts. There will be focus groups, community meetings, and an online survey that will be available.

The community of Chicago Public Schools is encouraged to give input in person as part of the search process.

The complete schedule of the community events is listed on the website of the Chicago Board of Education.

Chicago school board votes to terminate CPS CEO

The Chicago Board of Education voted to terminate troubled Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez in December of 2024.

The vote, unanimous, was the end result of a month-long battle, Martinez against the mayor, the Chicago Teachers Union, and the mayor's personally appointed school board.

He sued over the firing.

During September, Martinez claimed he turned down a demand from Mayor Brandon Johnson that he quit his position after he defied the mayor's plea to take out a $300 million high-rate loan to fund the expense of a new proposed teachers' contract and pension expenses formerly funded by the city. The entire former school board resigned last month after they were pressured by the mayor to remove Martinez. Johnson subsequently appointed a new school board in a matter of days.

Mayor Johnson has flatly denied requesting Martinez resign during ongoing Chicago Teachers Union contract talks—although sources informed CBS News Chicago that he did.