Members of the Chicago Board of Education have announced their resignation ahead of the planned shift to a hybrid elected and appointed School Board, which will take effect in January 2025. In a joint statement, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Board of Education confirmed that all current board members will transition out of their roles by the end of this month.
The resigning board members, none of whom intend to continue onto the hybrid board or run for election, believe this transition will provide incoming members with the necessary time to gain experience before welcoming new elected and appointed members in 2025. The hybrid board model represents a significant shift in governance for Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
The resignations follow recent reports that Mayor Johnson requested CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to step down, a claim that Johnson later denied. Martinez defended his role in a Chicago Tribune op-ed, asserting his leadership of the district. The outgoing board members have called on Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to intervene, though Pritzker’s office stated that he lacks the legal authority to do so. The governor’s office reiterated its commitment to supporting Illinois students and working with the General Assembly to invest in public education.
A spokesperson for CPS extended gratitude on behalf of CEO Martinez and the district for the departing board members’ service, noting their significant contributions, including their involvement in approving the district’s five-year strategic plan, “Success 2029: Together We Rise.” The board members were also recognized for advocating for equity, particularly in supporting students with disabilities and those from historically under-resourced neighborhoods.
Special recognition was given to Board President Jianan Shi and Vice President Elizabeth Todd-Breland, the latter being the only remaining member who has served since the COVID-19 pandemic. Todd-Breland led efforts to restore services and support academic recovery in the district.
CEO Martinez reassured CPS families and staff that despite the board’s resignation, the district’s leadership team remains focused on teaching, learning, and building on the academic momentum seen in recent years. Mayor Johnson is expected to announce seven new appointments to the Chicago Board of Education next Monday at Sweet Holy Spirit Church on the city’s Far South Side.
