CPS Needs an Educator as its Leader, Says School Board Member Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith
A Call for Change
Chicago School Board member Che “Rhymefest” Smith plans to introduce a resolution that would require the next head of Chicago Public Schools to be an educator, not an accountant or city administrator, like some former district leaders. Smith believes that having a superintendent, rather than a CEO, would bring a much-needed education-focused approach to the district.
Dispensing with the CEO Position
Smith wants to eliminate the current CEO position and have a superintendent take over the nation’s fourth-largest school district. He expects the board to consider a resolution at the next school board meeting on February 27. If the resolution is supported by the majority of the board, Smith believes that state lawmakers will be open to making the change.
A Different Focus
State Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) agrees that having a superintendent would bring a different focus to the district. “The advantage of a superintendent is that they ask, ‘What do we need to do to educate our children and what resources do we need?’” he said. “While a CEO might say, ‘What resources do we have and how can we use them to educate children?’ It is somewhat of a different focus.”
A Historical Perspective
The debate over a superintendent versus a CEO will come into play almost immediately, as the board will be looking for someone to take over in June. CEO Pedro Martinez was fired in December, but a provision in his contract allows him to stay on through the end of the school year. Chicago has had a CEO since 1995, when the legislature handed over control of the school district to former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
A Change in Qualifications
But superintendents must have a master’s degree, usually in education, two years of experience in an administrative role, and a superintendent endorsement from an accredited university. That endorsement requires training, classes, and a 12-month internship. In contrast, the only qualification for a CEO in state law is that it “shall be a person of recognized administrative ability and management experience.”
Conclusion
Smith believes that having a superintendent would bring a much-needed education-focused approach to the district. With a superintendent, the district would have a leader who understands the needs of students and teachers, rather than a CEO who may prioritize business and budget concerns. The debate over a superintendent versus a CEO is an important one, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out in the coming months.
FAQs
Q: Why does Che “Rhymefest” Smith want to eliminate the CEO position?
A: Smith believes that having a superintendent would bring a much-needed education-focused approach to the district.
Q: What are the qualifications for a superintendent?
A: Superintendents must have a master’s degree, usually in education, two years of experience in an administrative role, and a superintendent endorsement from an accredited university.
Q: What are the qualifications for a CEO?
A: The only qualification for a CEO in state law is that it “shall be a person of recognized administrative ability and management experience.”
Q: Why does State Sen. Robert Martwick support the idea of having a superintendent?
A: Martwick believes that a superintendent would bring a different focus to the district, prioritizing the needs of students and teachers over business and budget concerns.
