Expected next CPS CEO wasn’t always on school board members’ lists, many say she’s proven herself

CHICAGO (WLS) — A product of Chicago Public Schools, Macquline King is poised to become the district’s next leader. She wasn’t on top of school board members’ lists a few months ago, but many say she has more than proved herself. CPS playgrounds and classrooms will be full again when students return from spring break on Monday. The same day the school district is likely to have permanent leadership. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch The Chicago Board of Education is expected to name King as the permanent CEO. “After (a) long year of (the) search process and interviewing multiple candidates and also having over 100 people apply, we’re finally going to be voting,” elected school board member Yesenia Lopez said. 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.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/expected-cps-ceo-macquline-king-wasnt-top-school-board-members-lists-many-say-shes-proven-herself/18791650/