Sarah Macaraeg

Sarah Macaraeg is a former investigative reporter for the Tribune.

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez speaks at Daley Center, Dec. 24, 2024, after a Cook County judge granted a temporary restraining order against CPS board members. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Pedro Martinez timeline: A look at the CEO’s milestones — and demise — with CPS

January 13, 2025 at 2:03 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez was fired In late December, clearing the way for Mayor Brandon Johnson to install a new leader of the nation’s fourth-largest school district after...

With his parents just behind him, Jamie Corcoran, 8, dashes though a crosswalk as they head to Portage Park Elementary school in Chicago, Nov. 22, 2024. This intersection has bump-outs, where the curbs extend into the street for pedestrian safety. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Can Chicago make its streets safe for students to walk and bike to school?

January 13, 2025 at 6:15 a.m.

At least 2,860 youth pedestrians and cyclists have been hit by cars in Chicago since 2021, according to city data.

Christopher Garcia, 18, a senior at Intrinsic Schools’ Belmont campus, tests out a bike at the After School Matters program at West Town Bikes in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on Dec. 3, 2024. He said he wishes spaces for bikes separate from cars were more of a norm rather than the exception. The Chicago Department of Transportation completed 10 projects in the last year near schools around the city to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety following crashes involving youths. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago students pitch safety improvements for youth pedestrians and cyclists

January 13, 2025 at 6:27 a.m.

The Chicago Department of Transportation completed 10 projects in the last year near schools around the city to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety following crashes involving youths.

Following a vote by the charter operator’s Board of Directors Wednesday, Aspira Haugan Middle School in Albany Park will close at the end of the school year, Jan. 10, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Aspira votes to close charter operator’s Haugan Middle School as negotiations over Acero closures continue

January 10, 2025 at 6:59 p.m.

Charter school operator, Aspira Inc. of Illinois, has opted to shutter the doors of one of its four schools serving Chicago Public Schools students.

Amber Nesbitt, the interim inspector general for Chicago Public Schools, speaks in her West Loop office on Jan. 6, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

CPS watchdog’s annual report rings alarm on sports and school board election campaigns

January 10, 2025 at 7:17 p.m.

Office of the Inspector General released its annual report including more than 300 investigations, involving fraud, mismanagement and adult-on-student sexual misconduct.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates holds a collective-bargaining update press conference at CTU headquarters on Jan. 2, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Amid progress in contract negotiations, war of words between CPS and CTU erupts

January 4, 2025 at 3:48 p.m.

In dueling press conferences, CPS officials and Chicago Teachers Union members said progress has been made in their contract negotiations.

Justin Link, center, Dante Tota, second from right, and José Carrera, right, watch the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia at The Kerryman, 661 N. Clark St., on Jan. 2, 2025. The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 1 in New Orleans but was postponed until Jan. 2 because of security concerns resulting from a nearby vehicle attack on people that caused multiple deaths and injuries. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicagoans struggle to process deadly New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans

January 2, 2025 at 9:51 p.m.

In the wake of the New Orleans terrorist attack which postponed the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, Chicagoans struggle to process the tragedy.

Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez holds a press conference at the Chicago Public Schools Colman Administrative Office after the Chicago Board of Education voted, Dec. 20, 2024, to terminate his employment contract. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Board of Education votes to fire schools chief Pedro Martinez

December 21, 2024 at 5:22 p.m.

The Chicago Board of Education voted Friday to fire Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, clearing the way for the mayor to install a new leader after a monthslong power...

People celebrate decisions favorable to Acero Schools made during a Chicago Board of Education meeting at the Chicago Public Schools Colman Administrative Office in Chicago on Dec. 20, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Board of Education votes to absorb five Acero schools

December 21, 2024 at 7:50 a.m.

The Chicago Board of Education on Friday finalized the array of support the district will provide the approximately 2,000 impacted students, who are predominantly Latino.

Chicago Board of Education members listen in as members of the Acero charter schools community speak during public participation at a special meeting of the board at Colman School on Nov. 14, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

CEO Pedro Martinez’s termination wasn’t the only high-stakes financial decision the Board of Education voted on Friday

December 21, 2024 at 7:26 p.m.

As Chicago Public Schools faces deficits of around $500 million, two Board of Education votes could affect district finances for years to come.

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