Introduction to the Search for a New CPS Leader
Chicago Public Schools parents said at a community meeting Thursday that one of the most important items on their wish list for a new CPS chief is they have a connection with Chicago. Ideally, that means they graduated from a school in the district, they said. “If that’s possible that would be best because that way they know the city and the schools,” said Dannys Bastidas, mother to second and seventh graders at Burbank Elementary School in Belmont Cragin.
The Community Meeting
Bastidas was one of about two dozen residents who gathered at Steinmetz College Prep, 3030 N. Mobile Ave., for the Chicago Board of Education’s first of several public meetings intended to gather community input as its search for the next CPS leader gets underway. “It was very important to the board that we include community voice in this search and make sure we hear from all of you and what you are looking for in this next leader,” said Jennifer Custer, one of the board members for District 1. Ed Bannon, the other District 1 board member, was also at the meeting. About 50 people registered to attend.
Members of the Chicago Board of Education, Ed Bannon, and Jennifer Custer attend the first community feedback session for CPS’ Board of Education’s search for a new CPS superintendent, at Steinmetz College Prep in Belmont Cragin.
Tyler Pasciak Lariviere / Sun-Times
The Search Process
The board is holding community meetings in each of the 10 school districts over the next three weeks to get feedback on what residents value in a new head of CPS. It will also conduct focus groups and release a survey for broader feedback. Outgoing CEO Pedro Martinez was fired from the top CPS job in December. His contract allowed him to stay through June because he was fired without cause. In March the Board of Education voted unanimously to require the next leader of CPS to be a licensed educator, changing the role from a CEO to a traditional superintendent for the first time in decades.
Community Expectations
Adriana Garcia, who attended Thursday’s meeting and has a son is in the ninth grade at Taft High School in Norwood Park, agreed with Bastidas and wants the next leader to have a connection with CPS. “I’d like for them to know CPS so they can understand us because if they aren’t familiar they won’t know our children’s needs,” Garcia said. She added that she’d also like for the next leader to understand the value of protecting vulnerable groups like the Latino and African American communities. Garcia wants more equity in the way schools are funded. “I want them to focus that all schools get the same resources, and not leave us minorities with less and the majority with more,” Garcia said.
Conclusion
The search for a new CPS leader is a critical process that requires community input and involvement. The board’s efforts to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders are essential in ensuring that the next leader is equipped to meet the needs of Chicago’s students and families. As the search process continues, it is crucial that the community remains engaged and vocal about their expectations and concerns.
FAQs
Q: What is the timeline for the search process?
A: The timeline for a permanent replacement is unclear, but the meetings kick off the first of four phases in the search.
Q: What are the qualifications for the next CPS leader?
A: The next leader of CPS must be a licensed educator, as voted by the Board of Education in March.
Q: How can I provide feedback on the search process?
A: The board is holding community meetings, conducting focus groups, and releasing a survey for broader feedback.
Q: What are the community’s expectations for the next CPS leader?
A: The community expects the next leader to have a connection with CPS, understand the needs of vulnerable groups, and prioritize equity in funding.