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Cayata Dixon thought you'd be interested in this ChicagoBusiness.com news story.
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No word yet on new schools chief
>From the Crain's Chicago Business Newsroom
June 07 13:22:00, 2001
By Greg Hinz
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Declaring that it is "time to move on," Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas
Thursday made it official, announcing after weeks of rumors that he will step down as
head of the nation's third-largest public education system later this month.
There was no immediate word of a replacement either for Mr. Vallas or for school board
President Gery Chico, who resigned last week.
In a joint press conference, both Mr. Vallas and Mayor Richard Daley lauded the
turnaround of the 430,000-student system during Mr. Vallas' six-year tenure, citing
labor peace, financial stability and rising test scores.
"We have restored hope," Mr. Vallas said. "The kids have risen to the challenge."
Mr. Daley was equally laudatory, and insisted that the departure "was a decision made
by Paul."
But even Mr. Vallas hinted at a different explanation: "These jobs are not forever,"
he said at one point. "I have to realize that."
Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, right, shares a lighter moment with Mayor
Richard Daley during a Thursday press conference. Photo: Steve Leonard
Mayoral aides weeks ago said privately that Mr. Daley had become concerned that the
pace of school reform had slowed, and that he wanted to make a change. Mr. Vallas
resisted leaving, but apparently came around after two meetings with Mr. Daley in the
past several days.
Mr. Vallas served as the mayor's revenue director and budget chief before being sent
to the schools in 1995. With Mr. Chico, he structured what is widely considered to be
a remarkable turnaround, with $2.6 billion invested in school projects and
back-to-back 4-year contracts struck with the teachers union.
Mr. Daley Thursday declined to say exactly what his new school chief should do
differently, beyond "build on" the Vallas/Chico accomplishments. The leadership change
does not indicate schools are headed into a period of turbulence, he added, even
though the teachers union recently elected a new, more confrontational president.
City Hall sources say the mayor is extremely likely to name cable television executive
Michael Scott, the head of the Chicago Park District board, to succeed Mr. Chico,
perhaps as soon as Friday. Those sources also say Chicago Public Library Commissioner
Mary Dempsey is the leading candidate to succeed Mr. Vallas.
For news headlines throughout the business day, go to: http://www.chicagobusiness.com
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