CHICAGO (CBS) — Despite his job is at stakeIt was business as usual Thursday for Pedro Martinez, Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools.
Martinez was at Luther Burbank Elementary, 2035 N. Mobile Ave., when the Special Olympics recognized the school for excellence in inclusive sports programming.
Burbank became the third public school in Chicago to be named a National Unified Champion School by the Special Olympics. To earn this award, schools must demonstrate their commitment to providing inclusive sports for students with and without disabilities.
Martinez’s appearance at the event at Burbank Elementary took place a day earlier the Chicago Board of Education meets to vote on his fate.
Martinez’s future has been in doubt for months. CBS News Chicago received an email from a top aide in September for Mayor Brandon Johnson and school board members, providing talking points for Martinez’s ouster.
Weeks later, Johnson insinuated that he never asked for Martinez’s job.
The agenda for a special school board meeting in Chicago on Friday includes asking members to “approve the settlement with headquarters” (i.e. Martinez) and “approve the termination.”
Many criticize the planned agenda. When it comes to the new class of school board members in particular — the first ever elected by voters — they say any intention to oust Martinez before they start undermines the role they were elected to serve.
