A Week's Tenure: Chicago School Board Head Steps Down Over Controversial Posts

In Chicago, the president of the school board, Rev. Mitchell Johnson, has stepped down just a week after his appointment. The reason? His social media posts were found to be antisemitic, misogynistic, and supportive of a conspiracy theory about the 9/11 attacks. Mayor Brandon Johnson asked for his resignation after these posts came to light. Mitchell Johnson was one of seven new board members chosen by Mayor Johnson. Before his appointment, the previous board had resigned en masse due to a disagreement with the schools CEO, Pedro Martinez. Some of Mitchell Johnson's posts included agreeing that the 9/11 attacks were an "inside job. " He also defended Hamas after their 2023 attack on Israel and made comments that could be seen as disrespectful towards working women. The mayor's statement came after Governor J. B. Pritzker called for Mitchell Johnson's removal. Pritzker had previously criticized the mayor's vetting process for the board president. He emphasized that anyone leading the Chicago Public School Board should be inclusive and focused, which Mitchell Johnson's posts did not reflect. This situation raises questions about the vetting process and the expectations for leaders in public positions. It's a reminder that words and actions on social media can have serious consequences.