The Chicago school board is scheduled to vote Monday to appoint Macquline King as CEO of the district.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that according to district documents, the school board has offered King the job and she has accepted it. King was appointed as the district's interim CEO 10 months ago after CEO Pedro Martinez was fired.
The proposed contract for King would be effective July 1 through June 30, 2029 If approved, King’s salary would start at $380,000.
The contract appoints King as CEO, and she also has a superintendent’s license, which the partly elected, partly appointed board made a requirement for the position. Those who have worked with King say she is an expert on teaching and learning, as well as building relationships and cultivating leadership.
Unlike some past district leaders, she does not have a background in accounting and will likely have to find a strong chief financial officer to help her navigate the district’s budget and debt. The school system is projected to face a $500 million deficit next school year.
King started as a teacher in the district and became a principal of Dumas Elementary School on the South Side in 2007. In 2013, she became principal of Courtenay, a North Side elementary.
In the fall, King wasn’t among the finalists for the CEO job, which became a point of contention among some groups who supported her. But her standing among board members has risen over the last few months as she’s handled budget discussions, the closings of some charter schools and widespread immigration enforcement that affected schools.
The board named three finalists earlier this month, but one of the candidates, Meisha Porter, the former leader of New York City’s school system, dropped out without offering a reason.
The other finalist was Sito Narcisse, the former head of the East Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Parish district, whose past job experience was somewhat polarizing. Some praised him as a “transformational leader” but others criticized his leadership style.
