Jean-Claude Brizard Out as Chicago Schools Superintendent
By: Chris Wannagat
Updated: October 12, 2012
(CBS Chicago) More than three weeks after the Chicago teachers' strike
ended, Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard is out by "mutual
agreement," after less than 18 months heading the city's school system.
Sarah Hamilton, a spokeswoman for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, confirmed multiple reports that Brizard and the mayor had agreed it was time for Brizard to go, and Brizard has resigned as the head of CPS.
Brizard released a statement that reads, "In my 26 year career in education, I have had many different roles with one commitment -- the success of students.
As an educator, I knew for students to be successful here in Chicago we needed to refocus the District to work on the fundamentals of teaching and learning, developing a new framework for teaching. Some have called it a masterpiece. The credit belongs to my hard-working team including many teachers and principals who contributed to the work.
As the district leader, I am proud of the results we achieved in such a short time: graduation rates are up, test scores are improving, a higher percentage of freshman are on track for graduation, we achieved the lowest one-year drop-out rate in the city's history and we have seen tremendous growth on the ACT - an important college readiness benchmark.
As I move on to the next chapter of my career, my commitment to the success of students and the elimination of inequities within our educational system remains the same.
I have three young children. It is time to focus on their development. We all know the best gift that you can give to a child is time.
I leave this role with great sadness, but with the knowledge that the seeds for true innovation and transformation have been planted. They only need to be cultivated.
Brizard will be replaced immediately by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who has been the interim chief education officer at CPS since April, according to Hamilton.
Hamilton said the mayor would have a news conference to discuss the move on Friday.
Byrd-Bennett is a former teacher, principal, and head of the public schools in Cleveland. She was a central figure during contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union, frequently attending talks with the union, while Brizard was rarely seen in public during the strike.
Sarah Hamilton, a spokeswoman for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, confirmed multiple reports that Brizard and the mayor had agreed it was time for Brizard to go, and Brizard has resigned as the head of CPS.
Brizard released a statement that reads, "In my 26 year career in education, I have had many different roles with one commitment -- the success of students.
As an educator, I knew for students to be successful here in Chicago we needed to refocus the District to work on the fundamentals of teaching and learning, developing a new framework for teaching. Some have called it a masterpiece. The credit belongs to my hard-working team including many teachers and principals who contributed to the work.
As the district leader, I am proud of the results we achieved in such a short time: graduation rates are up, test scores are improving, a higher percentage of freshman are on track for graduation, we achieved the lowest one-year drop-out rate in the city's history and we have seen tremendous growth on the ACT - an important college readiness benchmark.
As I move on to the next chapter of my career, my commitment to the success of students and the elimination of inequities within our educational system remains the same.
I have three young children. It is time to focus on their development. We all know the best gift that you can give to a child is time.
I leave this role with great sadness, but with the knowledge that the seeds for true innovation and transformation have been planted. They only need to be cultivated.
Brizard will be replaced immediately by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who has been the interim chief education officer at CPS since April, according to Hamilton.
Hamilton said the mayor would have a news conference to discuss the move on Friday.
Byrd-Bennett is a former teacher, principal, and head of the public schools in Cleveland. She was a central figure during contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union, frequently attending talks with the union, while Brizard was rarely seen in public during the strike.
