CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she is confident that even with the departure of Chicago's top three public school officials, the district will be in good hands. And the search has already begun for a replacement for Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson.
Mayor Lightfoot said the Chicago Public Schools system will mount an extensive search for a new superintendent, but in fact, there are three top job openings: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Education Officer, and Chief Operating Officer.
Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade and Chief Operating Officer Arnaldo Rivera are also leaving in June with CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson.
But the Mayor said finding someone to fill Dr. Janice Jackson's high heels will be the first order of business.
"We have retained a search firm. They are very strong - former educators and superintendents themselves. We are going to be looking far and wide, both internally within CPS, but also across the country to find a very strong leader that shares our vision and passion about public education," Lightfoot said.
And, she said, thanks to Jackson, McDade, and Rivera, there are other officials in place who will assure a stable transition.
Meanwhile, after scandals forced out former CEOs Barbara Byrd-Bennett and Forrest Claypool, some suggest there was instability until Jackson was hired. Mayor Lightfoot said that will not be the case now.
"The well of talent across the country, I feel very confident that we will get a great leadership team; and I think credit to the kind of leadership that Dr. Jackson is, she's built an infrastructure that doesn't depend on a single person," Lightfoot said.
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