CEO / Superintendent, Chicago Public Schools

About Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the fourth-largest school district in the nation, is at a defining moment in its history as we seek a visionary leader to help shape our next chapter. Serving over 325,000 students across 634 schools with an annual budget just under $10 billion, CPS is a system of scale, complexity, and possibilities. Following a historic milestone in the fall of 2024, CPS is now governed by a newly structured hybrid Board of Education, comprised of both elected and appointed members. This means greater representation and voice from parents, students, and community to the district’s leadership. Together, our 21-member Board oversees 10 districts of the city and is actively seeking a bold, equity-driven, and innovative CEO / Superintendent to lead CPS into its next era.

We are proud to be home to some of the highest-performing schools in the nation and we have made measurable progress in critical areas, including academic recovery post-pandemic and rising graduation rates. We have launched an ambitious 5-year strategic plan, rooted in culturally relevant curriculum and restorative principles that are rigorous and engaging, so every student has joyful learning experiences.

And yet, our mission is far from complete. We are committed to closing opportunity gaps, especially for our Black and Latino students, supporting the needs of our vibrant and expanding immigrant communities, adding more students and families to our school enrollment, and ensuring that our highest-need schools receive the resources and supports required for transformative success.

About the CEO / Superintendent Role

The CEO / Superintendent is charged with carrying out the mission, vision, and strategic priorities established in partnership with the Board of Education. This role leads the day-to-day implementation of the district’s priorities, managing the leadership team that executes on the district’s vision, and setting the direction that will enable the district to realize its strategic plan. We are seeking a leader who is ready to think big, embrace innovation, collaborate, and build an equitable, student-centered future. This is a moment of extraordinary promise - and the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of students, families, and communities across Chicago.

Explore the job prospectus to learn more about Chicago Public Schools, priorities identified by community stakeholders, and the district’s five-year strategic plan.

Your Key Responsibilities

Ensure that every student experiences high-quality, joyful, and culturally responsive learning

• Advocate for and cultivate safe, engaging learning environments that fully support all of our students, including multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students with diverse learning styles and needs.
• Prepare each and every one of our students for career and college by strengthening programming from PK-16, beginning with our earliest learners in PK4, all the way to high school graduation, and ensure that students graduate with credits for college and / or the skills and path to the career of their choice.
• Implement a clear and coherent plan that will fully actualize our five-year strategic plan. Identify successful programs already occurring and solidify or expand them. Mobilize action across board members, administrators, teachers, parents, students, civic, philanthropic, community organizations, labor partners, and state leadership in support of the strategic plan and our vision for student success.
• Invest in our youngest students through early childhood programming, with a particular goal of ensuring that all students learn to read confidently by the third grade.
• Lead the successful implementation of research-based instructional programs that address opportunity gaps, particularly for communities that have been historically underserved.

Steward financial stability and sustainability for CPS

Support, develop, and retain a strong leadership team to deliver on CPS’s vision and mission

Partner with our communities to guide and accelerate the work of the district

Support a diverse system of excellent schools in every Chicago neighborhood

Champion our schools by communicating transparently, and changing the narrative about our schools

Core Competencies - the skills, values, and knowledge that you will bring with you to the role

Strong and Clear Communication

Political Acumen

Community-Centered Leadership

Equity-Driven Leadership

Innovation and Systems Perspective

Capacity Building and Team Champion

Background and Experiences

Salary and Benefits

Salary for this integral leadership position is competitive, and commensurate with prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package will be included in the ultimate offer for the identified sole finalist. We look forward to discussing details with you as the interview process progresses.

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