Johnson's new school board appointments don't need City Council approval, but a majority of aldermen signed a letter over the weekend demanding a hearing on the issue. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnson's chief of staff, informed reporters that the district is currently vetting the appointees for any potential conflicts of interest.

This is about investing in our children and not accepting cuts,” Johnson said in an exclusive interview. “For too long in this district, that's all that it has done.”