All seven members of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s school board plan to resign, the latest turmoil gripping his administration as it struggles for control of the Chicago Public Schools system led by embattled CEO Pedro Martinez.
Chicago Board of Education President Jianan Shi, along with members Elizabeth Todd-Breland, Mariela Estrada, Mary Fahey Hughes, Rudy Lozano Jr., Michelle Morales and Tanya Woods informed the mayor’s office of their resignations, the mayor’s office announced in a statement Friday.
The extraordinary shake-up clears the mayor to reappoint the entire school board.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson and members of the Chicago Board of Education are enacting a transition plan which includes all current members transitioning from service on the Board later this month,” the statement said.
“With the shift to a hybrid elected and appointed Board forthcoming, current Board members and Mayor Johnson understand that laying a strong foundation for the shift is necessary to serve the best interests of students and families in Chicago Public Schools.”
Johnson will announce the seven new board members at an event Monday morning at a South Side church, his office said Friday.