Chicago alderpeople, educators, and community members are rallying to keep Pedro Martinez as CPS CEO, citing his stability amid contentious contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union.

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez has turned down an offer by the interim school board to buy out his contract, according to the Chicago Tribune. Why it matters: The move, which comes from a lame duck board that will be replaced by a partially elected board next month,

Mayor Johnson has explicitly denied asking Martinez to resign, and only the Chicago Board of Education can fire him. Reports now say Martinez has been offered a buyout, but did not take the offer.

A buyout offer was made to Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez by an attorney representing the Chicago Board of Education, according to a report.

There’s nothing on the agenda related to Martinez’s contract for the last scheduled meeting of the year. The mayor's office has been making moves to push the CEO out for months.