Leadership & Management

Last fall, then-interim CEO Macquline King floated a restructuring of the district’s network offices overseeing schools. The district backed off, but conversations in that vein have continued.

The new three-year contract for Chicago schools chief Macquline King does away with a provision that provided 180-day notice to her predecessor, Pedro Martinez, after he was fired without cause.

Porter’s exit leaves just interim CPS CEO Macquline King and Sito Narcisse, former superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish schools, left for consideration as CPS’ next CEO.

The district, where almost half of students are Latino, announced three finalists for its top job late last week.

Macquiline King, a former Chicago Public Schools principal, is among three finalists announced Friday, along with former Baton Rouge superintendent Sito Narcisse and former New York City schools chancellor Meisha Porter.

Some board members say the search is forging ahead as planned. But a small group of board members want interim CEO Macquline King to stay on until a new school board is seated next January.

The Chicago Board of Education narrowed its search for CEO to two finalists. But after the names were leaked earlier this month, board members now say they are “reconsidering” and “recalibrating.”

Left-wing political coalitions have typically supported elected school boards. Yet as districts face new existential threats, progressive mayors are testing that and other assumptions.

Meisha Ross Porter is one of two finalists for the Chicago job. Porter led New York City public schools during the COVID pandemic.

Revuluri, a former teacher and instructional specialist who previously served as school board vice president under Mayor Lori Lightfoot, said he wants to run to help improve student achievement and “stand up to special interests.”

State Sen. Rob Martwick, a lawmaker who helped usher in Chicago’s elected school board, says it’s still the mayor. Others say it’s the school board.

Chalkbeat spoke to budget watchdogs, municipal finance experts, district officials, school board members, the teachers union, community groups, and civic organizations about possible solutions for Chicago Public Schools’ budget crunch.

The school board is currently considering five people for the job of interim CEO, who will replace outgoing schools chief Pedro Martinez.

The school board’s vote seals the contract with the teachers union. The final deal includes limits on class sizes and more preparation time for elementary school teachers.

This is at least the second public education job Martinez has sought and become a finalist for since his firing in December.

After months of turmoil for Acero parents and staff, the Chicago Board of Education voted to save most — but not all — of the charter network’s schools slated for closure.

Martinez was fired without cause from CPS and given six months notice amid growing conflict with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

With the Trump administration stepping up immigration enforcement in Chicago, schools are on high alert and finding ways to help students navigate the situation.

Tense negotiations over a new CTU contract have spurred a debate about whether he should formally resign from his teaching job to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.