Introduction to the CPS Top Job Finalists
The two finalists to lead Chicago Public Schools are the former chief of New York City schools and the current superintendent of schools in Denver, according to two sources with knowledge of the search process.
Background on the Finalists
Alex Marrero, who has served as head of Denver Public Schools for four years, and Meisha Ross Porter, who led public schools in New York City in 2021, are scheduled to interview with the board next week. CPS and the Board of Education didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times reported this week the school board was down to two unnamed finalists. The board has faced criticism over its decision not to release the names, a departure from many other big-city public schools districts. Chicago’s school board members have gone so far as to sign non-disclosure agreements to maintain a confidential process.
Concerns Over the Finalists
But just as quickly as the names became public, there were questions about whether either will in fact be hired as Chicago’s next schools chief, sources say. Ross Porter is under consideration by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to return to the helm of the city’s public schools. Ross Porter has been “evasive” in conversations with Chicago’s school board when asked if she planned to stay in New York, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous because they weren’t authorized to discuss private conversations.
Meisha Ross Porter’s Background
Ross Porter was born and raised in New York City and attended public schools there. She graduated from Queens Vocational and Technical High School and went on to receive a bachelor of arts degree in English concentrating in cross cultural literature and Black and Puerto Rican studies at Hunter College. Ross Porter was the first Black woman to lead New York City’s school system, according to her biography with the New York State School Boards Association. She’s a visiting senior fellow at the Center for Educational Innovation, according to her LinkedIn page.
Alex Marrero’s Background
Meanwhile, some in Chicago have expressed concerns about Marrero’s job in Denver, sources say. That’s despite the school board there having voted earlier this year to extend his contract through 2028. As the board considered his contract, several Latino community members of the Denver area sent a letter to the board asking them to pause the process and reevaluate his team’s progress on improving academic performance among students. Denver Public Schools students have slowly inched back to their pre-pandemic academic levels. Results released in August from state tests taken in the spring show kids there are just now starting to recover in reading and math.
Academic Performance in Denver
In Denver, about 42% of students met or exceeded expectations in literacy, just under the 42.8% of students who did in 2019. In Math, 32.9% of students met or exceeded expectations, just above 32.7% in 2019. Marrero is the son of a Cuban refugee and a Dominican immigrant, according to his Denver Public Schools profile. Before his role there, Marrero served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in New Rochelle, New York, where he was the first Latino head of the city’s school system. He has also worked in other school districts in New York, including New York City public schools.
Marrero’s Achievements and Affiliations
Marrero also serves as president of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. And he’s an executive board member for the Council of Great City Schools. He earned a doctorate in education leadership from Russell Sage College and advanced executive coaching and education leadership certificates from Harvard and Columbia universities. In 2023, Marrero was named superintendent of the year by the District Administration Leadership Institute. An evaluation last month by the Denver school board found Marrero met about 74% of his goals during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Conclusion
The selection of the next Chicago Public Schools leader is a critical decision that will impact the education and future of thousands of students. While both finalists have impressive backgrounds and achievements, concerns have been raised about their potential to lead the district effectively. The final decision will depend on the board’s evaluation of their qualifications, experience, and fit for the role.
FAQs
- Q: Who are the two finalists for the CPS top job?
A: The two finalists are Alex Marrero, the current superintendent of schools in Denver, and Meisha Ross Porter, the former chief of New York City schools. - Q: What are the concerns about Meisha Ross Porter?
A: Ross Porter is under consideration by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to return to the helm of the city’s public schools, and she has been “evasive” in conversations with Chicago’s school board about her plans. - Q: What are the concerns about Alex Marrero?
A: Some in Chicago have expressed concerns about Marrero’s job in Denver, despite the school board there extending his contract through 2028. There are also concerns about the academic performance of students in Denver under his leadership. - Q: What is the next step in the selection process?
A: The finalists are scheduled to interview with the board next week.
