CPS Narrows Superintendent Search — and West Side NAACP Calls Foul

The Chicago Board of Education has quietly narrowed its superintendent search to two finalists — and interim Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Macquline King is not among them. 

According to a Nov. 7 Chicago-Suntimes report, the remaining candidates are Alex Marrero, superintendent of Denver Public Schools, and Meisha Ross Porter, the former leader of New York City schools. The Sun-Times obtained the names from anonymous sources familiar with the search process. As of Nov. 7, CPS officials had not responded for comment. School board members signed non-disclosure agreements, preventing them from publicly identifying the candidates. The two finalists were expected to sit for interviews this week.

The board’s decision drew sharp criticism from the Westside Branch NAACP. Branch member Dwayne Truss, a former board member active with the branch, called the move “totally disrespectful” and said the group intends to press board members to reconsider, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. 

Westside Branch NAACP President Karl Brinson also criticized the process, saying, “King was good enough to be an interim, but all of a sudden she wasn’t good enough to make the finalist list … We were headed in the right direction with her.”

King, a former principal who stepped in after Pedro Martinez’s tumultuous ouster, has navigated a steep budget deficit and political tensions inside Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. She lost support from some mayoral allies when she presented a budget that differed from the mayor’s preferences, including her resistance to a potential CPS loan to help cover a disputed city pension payment.

But West Side NAACP leaders viewed that position — as well as King’s continued backing of the Black Student Success initiative despite federal pushback — as evidence of her integrity and independence.

The board selected its finalists during a closed session and is keeping their names confidential, citing a desire to protect applicants from repercussions at their current jobs. A community panel — students, parents, teachers and principals — interviewed the candidates on Nov. 3 before the board makes a final decision at a special session next week. The contract vote is expected in December.

Although Chicago’s mayor no longer appoints the CEO, Mayor Brandon Johnson will still interview the finalists. Board leaders say his input matters, given the administration’s recent role in helping CPS avoid even deeper budget cuts through large TIF surpluses.