Board releases superintendent search prospectus, says community input shaped criteria

The Chicago Board of Education released a superintendent search prospectus on July 24 that the board says reflects community input collected in May and June and will guide recruitment for the next chief executive officer.

Nut graf: Board member Emil Biggs, who announced the prospectus, said the document is intended both to demonstrate how community priorities shaped the search and to attract candidates whose skills align to those priorities; the board has already received more than 50 applications, the search firm reported.

What the prospectus says: Member Biggs told the board the prospectus incorporates summaries from community engagement, a Zen City survey analysis and input from in-person and virtual focus groups. The document will be posted on the board’s search web page and shared with applicants.

Recruitment status: Biggs said Alma Advisory Group is conducting active national recruitment; the board reported receiving more than 50 applications as of July 24. The search process will continue with screening and interview phases, and the board said it will provide public updates as the search proceeds.

Why it matters: The superintendent selection controls executive leadership for the district’s budget, policy and operations during the coming years. The prospectus emphasizes community voice and lists competencies the board seeks in candidates; the board said it will continue community engagement as part of the search process.

Ending: The prospectus and application details are available on the CPS superintendent search page; the board asked community members to continue participating as the search moves into candidate screening and interviews.