Who is Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez?

Several Black principals were fired from the Chicago Public Schools [CPS] system, which has drawn criticism.

At a news conference held outside CPS offices on Thursday, prominent civil rights activists, students, and parents banded together to demand the removal of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez.

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According to trial attorney Ben Crump’s press statement, CPS developed cases against Black principals who were fired based on “fabricated reports filled with false claims.”

Crump denounced the district’s “pattern and practice of discrimination” and demanded that the Justice Department look into the dismissal of three principals in particular.

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Who is Pedro Martinez?

Pedro Martinez, who has more than 20 years of expertise in the for-profit, public, and private education sectors, started working as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools on September 29, 2021.

Martinez, a Mexican native who was born in Aguascalientes, moved to Chicago with his family when he was 5 years old in hopes of a better life. His involvement with CPS began while he was a kid on Chicago’s west side. He attributes the education he received in the district’s schools with altering the course of his life. He is the oldest of 12 children.

CEO Martinez formerly held the position of Superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), where he prioritized academic excellence, talent recruitment, culture shift, stakeholder engagement, and strong fiscal management.

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The three principals Crump is defending attended the press conference, according to WGN, and stated that the accusations made against them are baseless and solely racially motivated.

However, none of the dismissed principals gave specifics as to why they were fired. According to WGN, Abdulle Muhammad was dismissed as the principal of Lindblom Math and Science Academy on the south side in March for unspecified reasons. Late last year, Gerald Morrow was fired from his position as principal of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy due to yet another inquiry that CPS declined to describe.