Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Central Office Restructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board members say they were blindsided by proposed central-office restructuring; CEO says no decisions finalized
Summary
Interim CEO Macklin King told the board that central- and network-office restructuring is under consideration but no changes are implemented; multiple board members and union representatives said principals and other stakeholders received little or no advance notice and urged better communication and collaboration
Interim Superintendent and CEO Macklin King told the Chicago Board of Education on Sept. 25 that the district is reviewing possible restructuring within central and network offices but that "no final decisions have been made and no changes are being implemented at this time." King said the review is intended to strengthen teaching and learning and would proceed with transparency.
Several board members and union leaders responded that they and school principals had been surprised by the scope and timing of the planning. "It was a complete surprise to us," Member Bridal said, describing principals who called board members with urgent questions about evaluations, reporting lines and job security. Union leaders told the board that principals and other employees should be directed to consult with their unions on personnel protections and urged the district to avoid top-down communications that exclude bargaining partners.
Board members urged clearer, earlier communications between the CEO’s office and the elected board and asked for briefings before further public announcements so elected members can respond to constituents and school leaders. Some members recommended public conversations with local school councils about the role and structure of networks and called for a revival of community trainings to strengthen local school council capacity.
Board members also linked the restructuring discussion to several operational concerns raised during public comment, including custodial staffing and contracts, safe passage and crossing-guard staffing, and cuts perceived as disproportionately affecting West and South Side schools. Several board members asked that proposals include plans to preserve school-level services and asked staff to return with clearer implementation timelines and financial impacts.
No formal motions or votes related to restructuring were taken in public session. Several board members requested follow-up briefings and operational reports in subsequent meetings.
