Macquline King Named Permanent Chicago Public Schools CEO

The Chicago Board of Education voted 18-1 to make King the district's next full-time leader.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:39pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic school supply item repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the energy and optimism surrounding Macquline King's appointment as permanent Chicago Public Schools CEO.The appointment of Macquline King as permanent Chicago Public Schools CEO brings stability and optimism to the district's future.Chicago Today

Macquline King will officially drop the interim tag from her title as Chicago Public Schools CEO after the city's Board of Education voted to make her the district's next permanent leader. King's three-year contract with an annual salary of $380,000 takes effect July 1.

Why it matters

The vote brings to a close the board's nearly year-long nationwide CEO search, which was marked by tensions between the board and Mayor Brandon Johnson. King's appointment provides much-needed stability for the district as it faces significant budgetary challenges in the coming years.

The details

King spent 12 years teaching in CPS classrooms before serving as a principal and taking on policy roles. She became interim CEO in 2022 and has already navigated one difficult budgeting season, passing a balanced budget after CPS faced a $730 million shortfall. However, the district is heading for a budgeting gap of nearly $1 billion in the coming years.

  • The Board of Education voted on March 30, 2026 to name King as the permanent CPS CEO.
  • King's three-year contract with an annual salary of $380,000 takes effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Macquline King

The new permanent CEO of the Chicago Public Schools district, having previously served as the interim CEO since 2022.

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who supported King's appointment as permanent CEO.

Jennifer Custer

The lone board member who voted against King's appointment as permanent CEO.

Ellen Rosenfeld

A member of the Chicago Board of Education who supported King's appointment from the beginning.

Yesenia Lopez

A member of the Chicago Board of Education who praised King's leadership and support for school communities during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions.

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What they’re saying

“It is a responsibility I carry with the weight of every student's future in mind.”

— Macquline King, Chicago Public Schools CEO

“I have never wavered in my support of Dr. King, not from Day 1. I supported her because I believe (in) her proven bravery and proven independence. But now the work begins.”

— Ellen Rosenfeld, Chicago Board of Education member

“She leads with empathy but also with courage. Given the situation right now, given that our schools, our students, our families, our staff need consistency, need strong leadership, that's why I will be putting support for her.”

— Yesenia Lopez, Chicago Board of Education member

“She knows that sustainable progress in our schools cannot be won through top-down mandates, it is built brick by brick through honest negotiation, mutual respect and shared sacrifice. She has done the work. She is the work.”

— Dian Palmer, SEIU Local 73 President

“Given the situation right now, given that our schools, our students, our families, our staff need consistency, need strong leadership, that's why I will be putting support for her.”

— Yesenia Lopez, Chicago Board of Education member

What’s next

King will face significant budgetary challenges in the coming years, with the district heading for a gap of nearly $1 billion.

The takeaway

King's appointment as permanent CPS CEO provides much-needed stability for the district as it navigates complex financial and operational challenges. Her deep experience in the district and support from education stakeholders position her well to lead CPS through this critical period.