An attorney representing the Chicago Board of Education offered to buy out Pedro Martinez, the embattled chief of Chicago Public Schools, amid ongoing tensions.

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.