West Side NAACP Calls Community Meeting as CPS CEO Search Faces Scrutiny

The Chicago Westside Branch NAACP is convening an “urgent community conversation” next week as questions mount over the Chicago Public Schools CEO search process and the district’s leadership transition.

The meeting is scheduled for March 31, 5 p.m., at the Greater West Town Project, 534 N. Sacramento Blvd. in Humboldt Park, and is intended to bring together families, educators, and community stakeholders seeking clarity about the selection process and next steps for the nation’s fourth-largest school district.

In a March 23 letter to Chicago Board of Education members, NAACP Westside Branch President Remel Terry emphasized the need for transparency and stability during a period of uncertainty.

“Families, educators, and community stakeholders are seeking clarity on the process, the decision-making timeline, and how CPS will ensure stability and continuity for students and schools during this transition,” Terry wrote.

The meeting comes amid a turbulent CEO search that has drawn criticism from community groups and education advocates. Earlier this month, the Westside Branch NAACP formally called on the Board of Education to halt the current search process altogether, arguing it has undermined public trust.

In a March 16 statement, the organization said the process has raised “serious questions about transparency, consistency, and accountability” and urged the board to instead install interim CEO Dr. Macquline King through the 2026–27 school year.

The group cited King’s leadership during a challenging fiscal and operational period, including balancing the district’s budget and negotiating labor agreements, as evidence of her readiness to lead CPS on a longer-term basis.

The NAACP is not alone in raising concerns. The CEO search has faced additional complications in recent days. One finalist, Meisha Porter, withdrew from consideration, further narrowing an already scrutinized pool of candidates, Chalkbeat Chicago reported. The outlet also reported that the slate of finalists initially lacked Latino representation, prompting criticism about equity and inclusiveness in the selection process.

Those developments have intensified calls for the board to slow down or reconsider its approach, particularly from community organizations on the West Side and beyond.

The March 31 meeting is expected to focus on several key issues, including how finalists were selected, what criteria are guiding the decision, and how CPS plans to maintain continuity in leadership during the transition.NAACP leaders are also urging board members to attend and directly address community concerns, framing the moment as a test of public accountability.

“We cannot afford further uncertainty,” Terry wrote, adding that public trust depends on open communication and a credible process.

The Chicago Board of Education has not publicly indicated whether it will alter the timeline or structure of the CEO search. However, with a major finalist stepping aside and growing pressure from advocacy groups, the process now faces increased scrutiny just days before the scheduled community forum.