Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handpicked school board was blocked from modifying Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez’s duties by a Cook County Judge on Tuesday, giving the embattled schools chief a victory as he battles with City Hall over the district’s future.

A Cook County judge ruled in favor of embattled Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, stating that school board members cannot participate in negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union unless invited by Martinez to do so.

The CPS board’s vote last week to fire CEO Pedro Martinez triggered a power struggle within the district. It is especially surprising that one of the first federal agencies to come under scrutiny from the incoming administration is one that has returned billions of dollars to many of the same consumers who were counting on leaders in Washington to look out for their wallets.