Porter Withdraws from Chicago Public Schools CEO Search, Leaving Two Finalists
The search for a new CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has narrowed to two candidates after Meisha Ross Porter, a former New York City schools chief, withdrew her candidacy. Porter’s departure leaves interim CEO Macquline King and former East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools Superintendent Sito Narcisse as the remaining contenders to lead the nation’s fourth-largest school district.
A Protracted Search
The top post at CPS has been vacant since June 2025, following the December 2024 firing of former CEO Pedro Martinez due to disagreements over district finances. The search process has been marked by challenges, including the abrupt departure of the district’s executive search firm last month and accusations of political interference from some school board members, allegations the mayor’s office has denied.
The Remaining Candidates
Macquline King has served as interim CEO since June 2025, focusing on stabilizing the district amidst budget pressures and enrollment declines. She has been credited with coordinating the district’s response to enrolling migrant students and expanding access to early childhood education. Notably, King was not initially named a finalist but was brought back into consideration due to growing community support. She previously served as the senior director of education policy in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office and notably resisted pressure from the mayor to approve a controversial loan.
Sito Narcisse previously led East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools from 2021 to 2024, overseeing approximately 40,000 students. His tenure was not without challenges, including a severe bus driver shortage and a divided school board regarding a proposed salary increase. He currently works as a partner at an education consulting firm. During his time in Baton Rouge, Narcisse and the school board faced a lawsuit alleging the promotion of religious messaging at a college fair, with claims of discrimination against transgender students; that lawsuit is still ongoing.
Calls for Representation
As the search nears its conclusion, the Board of Education has faced criticism for not including a Latino finalist. Almost half of CPS’s 316,000 students identify as Latino. Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, President and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum, has urged the district to select a leader with “deep experience serving Latino, immigrant and English Learner students.” The previous CPS CEO, Pedro Martinez, was the district’s first Latino superintendent.
Next Steps
The Board of Education is expected to convene a special meeting to make a final decision. A simple majority – 11 out of 21 members – is required to vote in a candidate. The board has not yet announced a specific timeline for the final selection. All candidates were scheduled to interview with Mayor Brandon Johnson and a 15-member community panel this week, but Porter withdrew before her interviews took place. The reason for her withdrawal remains unclear.