Paul Vallas:

The push to oust Pedro Martinez is a sideshow. CTU Pres. Stacy Davis Gates needs a scapegoat on her failure to deliver the $10 billion contract promised to her supporters and the Mayor is doing her bidding.  Martinez’s counter offer would cost the district over $3 billion.

City Council may block a city property tax increase but won’t be able to block the new school board from raising our property taxes AGAIN by at least the $168 million they increased them last year. This board, controlled by a majority of members that are the Mayors appointees, was just given another $300 million in TIF windfall by Johnson.

Stacy Davis Gates cries poor despite CPS spending $30,000 per child and the last contract giving  CTU members raises of 24-50%, while adding over 9,000 new positions. Today there’s ONE full time staff position for every 7.6 students and over 22,000 NON-TEACHING STAFF.