Introduction to the Controversy

When Chicago’s school board began its transition from mayoral-appointed members to an elected body, proponents hoped the move would promote transparency and greater community representation.

Background on the Issue

But as the partially elected board nears the finish line in its first search for a new Chicago Public Schools leader, it’s coming under fire for a lack of transparency. The board has not shared the names of its two finalists for the superintendent job, a departure from many other large school districts in recent years. Board members have also signed non-disclosure agreements.

Non-Disclosure Agreements Explained

Monica Santana Rosen, CEO of search firm Alma Advisory Group, which the district hired to head the search, says it’s “common practice” in superintendent searches for school boards to sign NDAs. She said boards choose confidentiality to encourage as wide a pool of applicants as possible, and “many” of the boards her firm has worked with have taken that path.

Reasoning Behind NDAs

“They don’t want candidates to choose not to apply because they’re not sure their information can be held in confidence,” Rosen said, adding that those concerns apply “even at the finalists stage, so that’s something board members have to weigh.” Rosen noted that the district conducted a citywide survey, held 11 in-person community feedback sessions earlier this year and organized focus groups. That led to the participation of more than 1,400 people, according to the district.

Comparison with Other Districts

The board also formed a community panel composed of students, parents and teachers, as well as a central office administrator and an elementary and high school principal, to interview finalists and provide input. The board is also requiring that group to sign NDAs. But officials at other large school districts have not only chosen to publicly identify their top choices — some have held interviews open to the public. In 2022, the board of Miami Dade County Public Schools – similar in size to CPS serving more than 300,000 students – identified three finalists before having them take part in public interviews. Also that year, Boston Public Schools announced its two finalists ahead of interviews which were open to the public.

Examples of Transparent Searches

The Clark County School District in Nevada revealed the name of its top six superintendent candidates earlier this year, a list which included former CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, who was still in charge of the district at the time. Clark County held community forums with its finalists. Milwaukee Public Schools announced three finalists for its superintendent positions when it was searching earlier this year. Some districts have followed the same path as CPS, however, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, which did not publicize candidate names as it searched for a new leader in 2021.

Criticism and Concerns

Chicago’s school board has landed on two unnamed finalists for the position, but sources say interim CEO/Supt. Macquline King is not among them. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has criticized the school board search process here, arguing the voices of students and families are being “excluded.” “The voters of Chicago did not elect a school board to have it conceal one of the most impactful decisions it will make,” Gates said in a statement after the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ reported about the narrowing search.

Call for Greater Inclusion

Kia Banks, president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, sent a letter to the board Tuesday accusing the board of failing to take school leaders into account. “Each of you made clear that when the time came for this search, principal and assistant principal input would be included. That time is now,” Banks wrote. “We are insisting that our voice be integrated into the process immediately.” On Friday, the organization said it has since had productive conversations with the board and is “in a better place now.”

Defense of the Process

Rosen said the Chicago school board has proactively sought input from all stakeholders in its process and said it has been more inclusive in this process than previous searches. “I would argue that this has been one of the more transparent processes that I’ve seen in Chicago Public Schools because it began with community voice and that community perspective has driven every single thing that the board has done,” Rosen said.

Conclusion

The board could land on its top choice as soon as Thursday. It plans to vote on a contract for a new superintendent in December. The controversy surrounding the transparency of the search process highlights the challenges in balancing the need for confidentiality with the demand for community involvement and transparency in public institutions.

FAQs

• Q: Why has the Chicago school board signed NDAs during the superintendent search?
  A: The board signed NDAs to encourage a wide pool of applicants and to keep their information confidential, a common practice in superintendent searches.
• Q: How does Chicago’s approach compare to other large school districts?
  A: Unlike some districts that publicly identify finalists and hold public interviews, Chicago has chosen not to disclose the names of its finalists.
• Q: What has been the reaction from community and educational leaders?
  A: Leaders such as the Chicago Teachers Union President and the president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association have criticized the lack of transparency and called for greater inclusion of community voices in the process.
• Q: When is the board expected to make a decision on the new superintendent?
  A: The board could decide on its top choice as soon as Thursday and plans to vote on a contract in December.