(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago Public Schools officials have called a special board meeting Friday morning -- the latest salvo in what has been a months-long power struggle between the Teachers Union, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the district.
The meeting comes amid growing tension over the employment status of schools chief Pedro Martinez. Martinez has been criticized by supporters of the mayor for rejecting a proposal to borrow money to pay for teacher raises.
A City Council ally of Martinez Alderman Gil Villegas (36th Ward) says he believes the special meeting was called as part of ongoing efforts by the Chicago Teachers Union to get Martinez dismissed and clear the way for a favorable contract for teachers before elected school board members take their seats next month.
“This is all manufactured at the teachers union in order to make sure they could put the pieces in place to put forward the largest and best contract that they've ever received,” Villegas said.
“Because remember, they spent millions of dollars to get their former lobbyists, the current mayor of the City of Chicago, in a position to appoint a board which will ultimately approve a contract that benefits the teachers.”
A closed session to discuss personnel matters is on the agenda for Friday’s meeting.
The meeting is the last one before ten elected members join the school board.
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