Meisha Porter Steps Back from Chicago Public Schools CEO Race, Spotlight Shifts to Macquline King and Sito Narcisse

In Chicago, the hunt for a new leader of the city’s public school system has narrowed to two contenders after one hopeful withdrew from the race.

Amid this development, there are increasing demands for the mayor to expedite the appointment of a permanent CEO.

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The previous CEO, Pedro Martinez, vacated his position when his contract concluded in June of last year, leading to Macquline King stepping in as interim CEO.

Many are now urging the mayor to consider King for the role on a long-term basis.

As the Board of Education approaches the end of this academic year and begins planning for the next, the question of who will assume the role of permanent CEO remains unresolved.

For the last nine months, King has served in that role, having come up through the ranks at CPS. And supporters say it’s time for her to get the job as the next CEO.

“In her first 60 days as interim CEO, she balanced probably one of the most challenging budgets that CPS has ever endured, with no school cut days, no furlough days, and we did not have to take out a high-interest loan,” Education Committee member Alderman Stephanie Coleman said.

Coleman says those are good reasons for King to be the next CEO.

Last week, the board named three finalists that included King.

Also in the running is Sito Narcisse, who most recently served as superintendent of East Baton Rouge Public Schools.

Meisha Porter, who served as New York City Schools chancellor, withdrew her name after it became public.

“Well, I think she got a close look at the situation we have here, what a mess,” 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea said. “Who would want to come here and take this on?”

There are also calls from Latino leaders in the city for CPS to choose a new CEO with deep experience serving Latinos and immigrants.

The president of the Latino Policy Forum released a statement that said in part, “Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students are Latino and a significant and growing number are English Learners. … Children and families deserve to see themselves in their leaders. They also deserve leaders who see them, know them, and fight for them.”

“I do hope, within a very short time period, especially considering that one of the candidates has dropped out of the running for CPS leadership, I do hope that the mayor and this administration and the board makes a decision sooner rather than later,” Coleman said.

The two remaining finalists will interview with Mayor Brandon Johnson as well as a community panel of educators, parents and students. But what’s not clear is how quickly that will happen and how soon the Board could meet to vote on a new CEO.