Ousted CPS CEO Martinez earns nod to lead Massachusetts Board of Education

CHICAGO (WGN) — Pedro Martinez, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools who was terminated by the Board of Education in December, earned a recommendation Tuesday to become the top educator in Massachusetts.

The endorsement by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education now heads to the commonwealth’s Secretary of Education for final approval. But Chalkbeat Chicago noted that current secretary Patrick Tutwiler also sits on the board and expressed his support for Martinez.

“There’s a proven track record of success in extraordinary unideal circumstances,” Tutwiler said,

according to Boston public radio station WBUR. Tutwiler is currently serving in an interim basis following the March departure of the previous acting commissioner, Russell Johnston.

In a statement, Martinez said he was deeply honored to earn the selection, adding that Chicago and Chicago Public Schools holds a “special place” in his heart.

“This city welcomed my family and me when we emigrated from Mexico, and CPS became the foundation of my personal and professional journey,” he said. “It was in CPS classrooms that I discovered my passion for learning, developed fluency in English, and uncovered a love for math that would shape my future. I was forever influenced by the rich diversity and resilience of this District, and it has been the greatest privilege of my life to return home and serve as its CEO.”

In February, Martinez was passed over to lead the Clark County School District in Nevada. He’d previously held other education roles in the state. He became a finalist for the Massachusetts role last week.

Martinez was fired without cause amid conflict with Mayor Brandon Johnson and his refusal to take out a high-interest loan to help finance a new teacher’s contract and a pension payment for non-teacher staff, a move Martinez said was fiscally irresponsible.

Under the terms of his contract, Martinez will continue to earn a salary from Chicago through the end of June.

CPS said Martinez’s contract in Massachusetts and start date still need to be negotiated.

WGN has reached out the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for comment.