How Macquline King Defied Expectations to Become the CPS CEO Front-Runner

CHICAGO (WLS) — Macquline King, a proud alumna of Chicago Public Schools, is set to take the helm as the district’s new leader. While she wasn’t initially among the top choices for the school board a few months back, her recent performance has garnered widespread approval.

As students prepare to return to CPS playgrounds and classrooms following their spring break on Monday, the district is also on the brink of securing its leadership. The Chicago Board of Education is anticipated to appoint King as the permanent CEO on the same day.

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“After a lengthy search process that involved interviewing numerous candidates and receiving over 100 applications, we are finally ready to cast our votes,” said Yesenia Lopez, an elected member of the school board.

King, who has a rich background as a CPS teacher, principal, and senior education policy director for the mayor, assumed the role of interim CEO after Pedro Martinez was dismissed. Initially, Lopez and other board members were hesitant to support her temporary appointment, fearing she might simply approve a budget favored by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the teachers’ union.

King, a former CPS teacher, principal and mayoral senior education policy director, became the interim CEO following the firing of Pedro Martinez. At the time, Lopez and others voted “no” on King’s temporary appointment. They were concerned she would rubber stamp a budget being pushed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the teacher’s union.

“I appreciate her approach when it came to the budget last year, thinking about short-term and long-term, making sure that we did not have reductions in the classroom, but also not putting the district in a more difficult position financially in the long-term,” Lopez said.

King refused mayoral pressure to take out a controversial loan. Her independence cost her. She did not make the list of three CEO finalists last fall. Leaks to the press caused the process to blow up. King made the cut in a recent new list, following pressure from community groups and City Council members.

“Allow this woman, who the board has picked, who has been there, who has been honest with us about what’s going on, actually do her job. Take the politics out of schools,” said 20th Ward Alderman Jeanette Taylor, Education Committee chair.

Because the almost year-long search for a new CEO was chaotic, Taylor is calling for new legislation to make the next selection process consistent with all stakeholders involved.

If approved, King’s starting salary is $380,000 per year. After seeing King grow into the job, Lopez now strongly supports her. But, she says King must hire more Latinos in CPS leadership positions.

“And as Dr. King builds her cabinet, I think it’s essential for her to have a representation of diversity that is a representation of students we serve,” Lopez said.

If King is approved on Monday, she officially becomes the permanent CEO July 1. It is a three-year contract. Whether she stays on or another CEO is selected in 2029, a fully elected school board will decide.