Chicago, IL, November 11, 2025
Meisha Ross Porter, the former chief of New York City Public Schools, emerges as a key contender for the CEO role at Chicago Public Schools. The Chicago Board of Education is set to interview her and another finalist during a special meeting. Following these interviews, the board will meet later in the week to make a final selection and could vote on a contract by December. The selection process comes after the dismissal of previous CEO Pedro Martinez amidst challenges in the district’s management and finances.
Chicago, IL
Meisha Ross Porter, former New York City Public Schools chief, is a finalist for the CEO position of Chicago Public Schools (CPS).
The Chicago Board of Education is scheduled to meet Monday for a special meeting during which they plan to interview the two finalists in person. The board plans to reconvene later in the week to make a final pick, and the full 21-member board could then vote on a final contract with the new leader at a meeting scheduled for Dec. 3.
Porter, who led New York City Public Schools in 2021, is one of two finalists and will interview with the Chicago Board of Education.
Chicago began its process to find a new leader in March, hiring the search firm Alma Advisory Group, an executive search firm known for its work helping school boards hire superintendents.
The previous CPS CEO, Pedro Martinez, was fired without cause in late December 2024 but remained at the helm of the district until late June. Martinez, who made about $360,000 annually as head of CPS, clashed with Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former teachers union organizer, over how to handle the district’s finances. The tensions at one point led to Johnson’s entire seven-member appointed board resigning en masse.
For the past 30 years under mayoral control, CPS’s leader has been chosen by the city’s mayor. Earlier this year, a key lawmaker who helped pave the way for an elected school board raised the possibility that the mayor should still get the final say on who runs CPS. Legal experts and local officials disagree on whether that is still the case, and the language in state law is murky.
Nevertheless, Johnson is expected to interview both finalists next week, according to a source close to the search process. He also maintains significant influence over the school board, given that 11 of 21 members are his appointees.
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates criticized the secrecy surrounding the finalists and the “hand-picked panel” of community members being asked for input, calling it “a fundamental failure of the democratic values this new process was meant to uphold.”
In a letter sent to the school board president late Friday night, Davis Gates said “the authority to appoint the CPS CEO resides with the Mayor of the City of Chicago” and argued that the board’s “apparent belief that it is empowered” to pick the district’s next leader is against state law.
Dwayne Truss, a member of the West Side branch of the NAACP, said the group is upset that interim CEO King has been eliminated as a finalist. He pointed to former “outsider” CEOs, including Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who was convicted of receiving bribes during her time at Chicago Public Schools, as failing to be successful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Meisha Ross Porter?
Meisha Ross Porter is the former chief executive officer of New York City Public Schools, having served in that role in 2021. She is currently a finalist for the CEO position of Chicago Public Schools.
What is the process for selecting the new CPS CEO?
The Chicago Board of Education plans to interview the two finalists in person during a special meeting. The board will reconvene later in the week to make a final selection, and the full 21-member board could vote on a final contract with the new leader at a meeting scheduled for Dec. 3.
Who was the previous CPS CEO?
The previous CPS CEO, Pedro Martinez, was fired without cause in late December 2024 but remained at the helm of the district until late June.
What is the role of the mayor in selecting the CPS CEO?
For the past 30 years under mayoral control, CPS’s leader has been chosen by the city’s mayor. However, there is ongoing debate about the extent of the mayor’s authority in this process, with legal experts and local officials disagreeing on whether the mayor should have the final say.
What is the Chicago Teachers Union’s stance on the selection process?
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates criticized the secrecy surrounding the finalists and the “hand-picked panel” of community members being asked for input, calling it “a fundamental failure of the democratic values this new process was meant to uphold.”
Key Features of the CPS CEO Selection Process
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Finalists | Meisha Ross Porter and one other candidate are finalists for the CPS CEO position. |
| Interview Schedule | The Chicago Board of Education plans to interview the finalists in person during a special meeting on Monday. |
| Decision Timeline | The board plans to reconvene later in the week to make a final selection, with a full 21-member board vote on a final contract scheduled for Dec. 3. |
| Previous CEO | Pedro Martinez was the previous CPS CEO, fired without cause in late December 2024 but remained until late June. |
| Mayor’s Role | The mayor has traditionally chosen the CPS leader, but there is debate about the extent of this authority. |
| Community Input | The Chicago Teachers Union criticized the secrecy and the “hand-picked panel” of community members being asked for input. |
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Meisha Ross Porter Finalist for CEO of Chicago Public Schools
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