Copyright The Denver Post
Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero is one of two finalists to become Chicago Public Schools’ next CEO, WBEZ Chicago reported Friday. The Chicago district has not publicly identified its two finalists, but WBEZ reported that Marrero and Meisha Ross Porter, who led New York City’s public schools in 2021, will interview with the school board next week. Chicago Public Schools representatives could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. The DPS Board of Education hired Marrero in 2021 to replace Susana Cordova as the leader of Colorado’s largest K-12 district. Cordova, now the state’s education commissioner, resigned from DPS after two contentious years at the helm. DPS officials declined to confirm whether DPS is seeking the Chicago job. “Dr. Marrero has no plans to leave the district,” spokesman Bill Good said in a statement. “Currently, he is attending the Global Cities Symposium representing DPS, in Asia, and will be extending his trip for a brief, but well-deserved, vacation prior to returning to Denver. “He is excited to work with the newly elected Board of Education and is proud of the work he has accomplished in his more than four years as the leader of Denver Public Schools.” Marrero’s contract with DPS runs through 2028. The school board extended the contract earlier this year and made it harder to fire the superintendent by requiring a supermajority — at least five votes — to fire Marrero without cause. This story is developing and will be updated.
