The Chicago Board of Education’s search for a permanent CEO has hit another snag, with the board terminating its contract with Alma Advisory Group, the firm brought in last May to lead the hunt. The move comes amid accusations from some board members that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office interfered with the process, stalling progress and potentially undermining the search for a qualified leader for Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
The decision to end the relationship with Alma was revealed in a statement signed by six elected board members: Carlos Rivas Jr., Ellen Rosenfeld, Jessica Biggs, Angel Gutierrez, Therese Boyle, and Che “Rhymefest” Smith. While the statement praised Alma’s work, it alleges that mayoral appointees “sabotaged” the search and that the mayor and his allies engaged in “political interference.”
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to a CEO search that began last spring following the abrupt departure of Pedro Martinez in late June. Martinez was fired without cause, leaving CPS without a permanent leader. The search appeared to be nearing completion in the fall, but stalled when the names of potential candidates were leaked to the media.
The board members who signed the statement are now advocating for interim CPS CEO Macquline King to remain in the role until a new, fully elected school board is seated next January. This stance represents a shift in focus, prioritizing stability during a period of transition. Notably, each of these board members had previously voted against hiring King as interim CEO.
However, not all board members share this view. Jenni Custer, an elected board member who has consistently voted with the group critical of the mayor’s alleged interference, expressed optimism that the search remains viable. Custer stated that the board is “on the cusp of selecting several finalists” and that Alma had “taken us as far as they can.” She believes the board is now positioned to move forward independently.
The timing of Alma’s departure is unclear. The statement released by the six board members does not specify when or why the contract was terminated. CPS referred inquiries to the Chicago Board of Education, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Neither the board president, Sean Harden, nor the head of Alma Advisory Group, Monica Santana Rosen, responded to requests for comment.
The allegations of mayoral interference raise questions about the degree of control Mayor Johnson intends to exert over the selection of the district’s next leader. Traditionally, Chicago mayors have played a significant role in choosing the CPS CEO, but there was an expectation that Johnson would adopt a more hands-off approach given the ongoing transition to a fully elected school board. The current board consists of 11 members appointed by the mayor and 10 elected members.
The leak of finalist names – former New York City schools chief Meisha Ross Porter and current Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero – late last year further disrupted the search process. The statement from the dissenting board members directly links these disruptions to interference from the mayor’s office, claiming that the leaks and subsequent delays demonstrate a lack of commitment to finding a qualified CEO.
Adding to the pressure on Mayor Johnson, a coalition of Black-led groups, including the West Side NAACP, has voiced support for keeping King in the interim role until a fully elected board is in place. This broad-based support underscores the desire for stability and continuity within the district.
The situation highlights the complex political dynamics at play in the selection of a CPS CEO. The tension between the mayor’s appointed board members and the elected members, coupled with the accusations of interference, creates a challenging environment for finding a consensus candidate. The future direction of CPS leadership remains uncertain as the board navigates these political hurdles and attempts to identify a permanent CEO capable of addressing the district’s ongoing challenges.
