* Gov. JB Pritzker…
Any person charged with the stewardship of the Chicago Public School Board must exemplify focused, inclusive, and steady leadership. The views expressed in the current Chair’s posts – antisemitism, misogyny, fringe conspiracy theories – very clearly do not meet that standard. We owe it to our students, families, and teachers to provide the highest quality education, and that begins at the top by setting a positive example of kindness and inclusivity. Given that he has failed to live up to these values, I believe it is in the best interest of our schools and our children for the Chair to resign.
…Adding… He gone…
From the story…
Amid a wave of backlash over troubling social media posts that were criticized as antisemitic, misogynistic and conspiratorial, Chicago’s new Board of Education president is resigning at the request of Mayor Brandon Johnson just seven days after he was sworn into office.
…Adding… From the mayor…
Mayor Brandon Johnson released the following statement today, requesting the resignation of Chicago School Board of Education (BOE).
“Today, I asked Chicago School Board of Education (BOE) President Reverend Mitchell Johnson for his resignation, and he resigned, effective immediately. Reverend Mitchell Johnson’s statements were not only hurtful but deeply disturbing. I want to be clear: antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable.
My administration is committed to upholding the mission of transforming our public education system. It has become clear that his continued participation in the BOE would hinder the important work we need to accomplish for our schools.
We will proceed promptly to identify a qualified individual who shares our dedication to educational excellence and will serve with an unwavering commitment to the values we hold dear. I remain steadfast in my commitment to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that every child in Chicago has access to the quality education they deserve. Protecting and empowering the students in Chicago Public Schools remains our North Star.
The Board of Education meeting on Friday will proceed as planned under the current BOE bylaws.”
As Isabel just noted to me, this tone is far different from yesterday’s.
* Let’s look at some background from yesterday…
* Missing from that story’s context is incendiary stuff we already knew, like this…
* Also missing was stuff most of us didn’t know about yesterday…
* His disbarment is detailed here…
During Johnson’s representation of Chrapko, Chrapko filed for personal bankruptcy. The trustee in bankruptcy informed Johnson that Chrapko could no longer honor his agreement with Johnson for hourly fees, and could pay for Johnson’s services only on a strict contingency basis. Johnson agreed to modify his fee agreement with Chrapko accordingly. Yet, despite this, Johnson later demanded an additional $1,000 from Chrapko. Johnson told Chrapko that “there were ways around the bankruptcy,” and instructed Chrapko to have a third party issue a check to Johnson on his behalf. Chrapko complied with Johnson’s demand, fearing that Johnson would not otherwise pursue his lawsuit.
* ABC7…
The majority of Chicago City Council members are asking for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s brand new, hand-picked school board president to step down after a Jewish publication revealed dozens of antisemitic and anti-Israel posts on his Facebook page. […]
Rev. Johnson released a lengthy apology to the Jewish community writing, in part, “The remarks I posted were reactive and insensitive, and I am deeply sorry for not being more precise and deliberate in my comments posted last year. Since then, I have asked for and received feedback from my Jewish friends and colleagues, who helped me be more thoughtful in the way I address these sensitive matters.”
For now, Mayor Brandon Johnson seems to be standing by his pick.
“These are not sentiments that i subscribe to and i do appreciate Rev. Johnson being willing to be held accountable for statements that he has made that have caused harm,” Mayor Johnson said.
…Adding… The pile-on is gonna be huge…
WGN…
A spokesperson for Mayor Johnson did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the newly unearthed posts about 9/11 and women.
