Chicago Board of Education meets after President Rev. Mitchell Johnson resigns over controversial posts

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Board of Education meets Friday, just a day after its newly appointed president resigned.

The six mayor-appointed board members will hold their first official meeting Friday morning without the Rev. Mitchell Johnson.

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Johnson resigned on Thursday after a Jewish publication published dozens of his controversial Facebook posts about women, 9/11 conspiracy theories and views on Israel.

Jewish mothers of Chicago Public Schools students are glad he is no longer leading the Chicago Board of Education.

“My children in the Chicago Public Schools are clearly orthodox. And I have to tell you, when I heard that our mayor would be appointing someone to this position, I had a gut reaction,” Estee Spero said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and more than 40 of Chicago’s 50 City Council members also reacted the same way after seeing the anti-Semitic statements.

Now some are questioning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s vetting process for his newly appointed school board.

“How were they vetted, and do we need to look deeper into their background and make sure they are qualified to be responsible for children?” said 50th District Ald. Debra Silverstein, the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council.

Last month, CPS said its vetting process for all board members includes “background checks, financial inquiries and conflicts of interest.”

So far, the new school board members have declined the City Council’s request to appear in the chamber and answer questions.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will begin work quickly to find a new board president.

Friday’s agenda includes enrollment policies, transfer students, student religious practices and various other contracts.