Mayor Richard M. Daley named Terry Mazany the interim CEO of CPS. Current CEO Ron Huberman announced his resignation- effective November 29- earlier this month.
Mazany is the head of Chicago Community Trust, a not-for-profit charitable organization. He is currently on loan from the trust and will continue to receive a paycheck from the organization. The city gave him $1 salary for the CPS job.
Mazany leads the trust's education initiative, which has a five-year, $50 million commitment to Chicago Public Schools. He worked as an educator in California.
The Chicago Teachers Union approves of Mazany's interim appointment. But Mazany said that while he believes he has the right mix- education and CEO experience- for the job, he's just pinch hitting while Daley continues to search for a replacement.
"I do not have an interest in pursuing the job on a permanent basis," said Mazany.
Mazany will have the task of hiring a chief educator officer. Other than that, Mazany said he does not plan to change the course of CPS.
"I see one of my tasks is working with the board of education to provide clear briefing book road map for next mayor and CEO of public schools," said Mazany.
The Chicago Teachers Union calls on Mazany to do more. The union believes Mazany should lay the groundwork to change course and go back to the model where an educator is in charge of Chicago Public Schools.
Mazany is a very respected member of the education community here in Chicago. What he says will leave a lasting imprint," said Jackson Potter, Chicago Teachers Union.
Mazany says with an organization that has a $6 billion budget, the current system works.
"The structure with a CEO and a chief education officer is absolutely the right structure. And one of my first priorities will be to restructure that educator leadership within the system," said Mazany.
Mayor Daley took over control of Chicago Public Schools 15 year ago. The teachers union says the current system has been a big failure. The mayor strongly disagrees. He says CPS needs a CEO for operations and a CEO for education.
