Chief of Schools

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

District-run CPS schools are organized into 18 networks and are provided administrative support, strategic direction, and leadership development by the Office of Network Support (ONS). By eliminating a one-size-fits-all network support model, schools benefit by having support that focuses exclusively on their needs. CPS principals have access to their Network Chief as a resource and a liaison between their schools and district administration.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Schools Officer, the Chief of Schools, Options Schools will serve as the chief executive for the Options School Network, a network of 38 high schools serving students all over the city. With school principals serving as critical agents in accomplishing the district's vision, the Chief's most important role is supporting, developing, coaching, and supervising principals' instructional leadership. The Chief of Schools works in collaboration with local school councils and CPS departments to identify, prepare, place and retain great principals in network schools; create a climate of professional collaboration by establishing structures that foster shared learning and resource exchange across networks and schools; and implement a strategic plan to anchor the work of the network in improving student achievement. Chiefs also leverage network and district resources strategically to effectively support students and schools.

This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Chief of Schools, Options will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Supervise and support school leaders and schools in the Network by:
  
  • Developing the ability of principals and their instructional leadership teams to develop, implement and monitor a strategic plan that helps meet student achievement goals. This includes assisting principals and their teams in engaging in root cause analyses, developing theories of action and building coherent multi-year strategies.
  • Support principals' development and implementation of their school's Continuous Improvement Work Plan ("CIWP"), including the change management process needed to implement transformation initiatives at the school-level.
  • Working with school leaders to closely monitor school improvement through a cycle of continuous improvement and sound management practices.
  • Assessing the leadership capacity of each principal and their leadership teams (including teacher leaders and Assistant Principals) and developing an individualized Leadership Development Plan ("LDP") for each leader; conducting regular performance evaluations to support the goals in the LDPs.
  • Providing frequent, actionable feedback to assist principals and their leadership teams in improving in their leadership practice and achieve better results.
• Work collaboratively with CPS, city, and non-profit colleagues to support a rigorous and relevant high school learning experience for students who face significant barriers to high school graduation
• As needed, manage the process for students transferring into Options Schools; ensuring Options Schools are following all transfer policies and procedures
• For contract, Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs, and charter schools, manage and/or support the evaluation and reporting of school performance against the District's academic, financial, and operational expectations and the renewal of existing school contracts, including application launch, evaluation, and community engagement to drive effective decision-making.
• Assess principal quality within the network and effectively plan for, facilitate and/or execute school leadership transitions as needed (including succession planning), in consultation and partnership with the Office of Network Support, Department of Principal Quality and Talent Office.
• Identify, recruit and engage in the selection of new principals able to successfully lead school improvement efforts.
• Develop a high-performing community of principals who leverage one another's strengths and support one another in achieving shared goals. This may include via principal network meetings, peer mentoring, and/or individual job-embedded coaching focused on instructional leadership.
• Develop and build a high-performing network team focused on supporting the work of school leaders and their leadership teams. This support should include activities that:
  
  • Foster meaningful relationships with families and community stakeholders to create a strong neighborhood structure to support the learning of all students.
  • Differentiate resources and support to schools in accordance with their CIWP and student achievement goals instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Leverage the resources of Central Office departments and teams and coordinate their delivery in the best interests of principals, their leadership teams, and schools' CIWPs.
  • Pursue the district's goals for diversity, equity and inclusion, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction for students and eliminating the opportunity gap.
• Collaborate with the CPS Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Education Officer and fellow Chiefs of School in developing communication systems that ensure the smooth flow of information (both vertically and horizontally), enable energy to be concentrated on the highest-priority goals for each school, and ensure best practices are shared across schools.
• Regularly monitor schools' performance and provides feedback to assist in developing principal leadership capacity, the schools' progress toward implementation of CIWP efforts, and the networks results in achieving the student achievement goals set in the 5 year CPS Vision, Success Starts Here.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned by the CEO/CEDO or designee.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Chief of Schools, Options must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university
• Master's degree in Education or related field
• Illinois State Board of Education Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations, with a Principal or General Administrative endorsement

Experience Required:

• Minimum of four (4) complete school years of experience as a PreK-12 school principal or three (3) complete school years as an High School principal and one (1) year of experience in a district administration role; urban education experience preferred
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience coaching and mentoring educators
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing within a complex educational organization
• Principal supervisor experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs and charter schools, manage and/or support the evaluation and reporting of school performance against the District's academic, financial, and operational expectations, and the renewal of existing school contracts, including application launch, evaluation, and community engagement to drive effective decision -making.
• Lead literacy and numeracy instruction, as well as design and implement successful instructional strategies for English Language Learners and students with diverse learning needs.
• Lead large-scale, sustainable improvement efforts, whether in school transformation or movement from "good to great."
• Exhibit a consistent sense of urgency around closing opportunity gaps and making the instructional improvements needed to do so.
• Develop leaders, build an effective collaborative team, and coach team members to ensure professional and career growth.
• Articulate a vision and set high standards for all students, and effectively drive schools to fully commit to high expectations, as well.
• Communicate a clear vision and build consensus among a diverse set of stakeholders around the common purpose of helping students succeed.
• Build collaborative relationships with a broad variety of constituent groups, including both internal and external partnerships.
• Analyze and synthesize multiple sources of data to inform daily decisions and indicate areas for improved instructional practice.
• Seek out and share research- and evidence-based best practices; explore innovative ideas, understanding the practical challenges and how to overcome them.
• Successfully navigate politically-charged environments, always acting with integrity, honesty, and courage in the best interests of students.
• Commit to one's own continuous improvement, and possess an unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Ability to make challenging decisions, remain professional under stress and possess exceptional judgment.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.