**Mayor Brandon Johnson Appoints New Members to Chicago School Board Amid Controversy**

In a significant move, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of six new members to the city's school board on Monday. This decision follows the unexpected resignation of all seven previous board members amid an ongoing dispute over control of Chicago Public Schools (CPS)—the United States' third-largest school district.

During an announcement held at a church on Chicago’s South Side, Mayor Johnson disclosed the names of the six new appointees, promising to name a seventh member soon. He clarified that these new members are currently nominees undergoing a vetting process but anticipated they would remain in their roles once the board expands. This expansion, set for January, will transform the board into a hybrid structure featuring 11 mayoral appointees and 10 elected members.

"I’m confident that these new candidates will work to lead CPS into the world-class school system that our children deserve," Johnson declared, emphasizing the need for high-quality education within the district.

The shake-up comes as Johnson, who has a background as a Chicago Teachers Union organizer, seeks to replace the district's CEO, Pedro Martinez. Martinez, appointed in 2021 by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has remained steadfast in his position despite Johnson's attempts to remove him. A significant point of contention has been how to effectively address gaps within the district's nearly $10 billion budget.

The abrupt resignation of all seven board members on Friday was particularly startling given that Johnson had appointed them only months after assuming office in 2023. The resigning members, who have stayed silent regarding their decisions, will continue in their roles until the end of the month.

Next month, Chicago will witness its inaugural school board elections, initiating the transition to a 21-member hybrid board. This structure will remain in place until 2027, when a fully elected school board is slated to take over.

While the new appointees do not require the approval of the City Council, a majority of the aldermen have expressed concern about the selection process. Over the weekend, they signed a letter calling for a council hearing to examine the issue closely. In response, Johnson's chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, reported that the district is in the process of vetting the new candidates for potential conflicts of interest.