Macquline King has become the next official CEO, catapulting a Black woman with homegrown talent to the district's top post 10 months after she was appointed to the interim role.
All voted "yes," except Jenni Custer, who was a "no" vote.
"As a proud CPS graduate, teacher, mother, and principal, I am honored to lead the District that shaped me," King said in a statement. "My priority as permanent CEO is clear: to keep students at the center of decisions and build on the academic gains of the past few years, advocate fiercely for the funding our students deserve, and move the District forward so that more students graduate ready to succeed in college, careers, and civic life."
King's starting salary is $380,000 per year, which is more than her predecessor, Pedro Martinez, made. He was fired from the job.
While many on the City Council Education Committee originally were opposed to her becoming interim CEO, they have since come to her support. But those like Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor said last week that King needs to hire more Latinos in leadership positions.
King becomes the permanent CEO July 1. It is a three-year contract.
King will need to close a huge budget deficit and work with a fully elected school board starting in 2027.
Before serving as the interim CEO, King worked as an education policy adviser under Mayors Lori Lightfoot and Brandon Johnson.
There have been over a dozen Chicago Public Schools CEOs over the past 25 years.
King is the first to be approved by a partially elected school board.
"We will not allow financial headwinds to jeopardize those hard-won victories and our students' confidence," King said.
King pledges to be the most vocal advocate for more money. She says she and her team are 100% committed to being in Springfield.
"We need to look at the best way to organize the district to allocate resources based on the needs of our students last year; everything has to be on the table," King said.
After his handpicked school board fired Martinez, Johnson named King as the interim CEO.
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But, King refused mayoral pressure to take out a controversial loan to balance the budget.
Her independence cost her.
King did not make the list of three CEO finalists last fall. Leaks to the press caused the search process to blow up, and King was back on the list as a finalist a few weeks ago.
"Dr. King was eliminated back in November. And all of sudden we have a lot of pressure at the tail end to get her back in here, and this wasn't the process people of Chicago were looking for," school board member Custer said.
Custer plans to run for school board president.
Besides the rocky search process, Custer says school leaders in her district say King has not been communicative enough with them. But, the remainder of the school board says King has earned their confidence and respect during a tough year.
"I appreciate your calm and steady leadership in the midst of massive turmoil that we have seen," school board member Karen Zacor said.
"I supported her because I believe of her proven bravery and her proven independence," school board member Ellen Rosenfeld said.
Besides the budget, King has navigated schools during "Operation Midway Blitz" and charter school closures.
She has the support of unions, several City Council members and community groups.
"Public education is the foundation of opportunity in our city, and strong, dedicated leadership is essential to Chicago's future," Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. "I am grateful to the members of the Board who carried out this process and congratulate Dr. Macquline King on her appointment as permanent CEO. In her time as interim CEO, Dr. King has demonstrated commitment to the success of CPS students, teachers, and families. I look forward to continued partnership with Dr. King, educators, and community stakeholders as we work to deliver the high-quality education every student in Chicago deserves."
The Chicago Teachers Union said in part, "The Chicago Teachers Union is prepared to be a partner. We remain committed to our city's families and stand ready to secure, finally, the quality school communities we continue to fight so hard to achieve."