Chicago Public Schools has approved a new contract for CEO Macquline King, which makes it easier for the district to end her employment compared to her predecessor’s agreement. The changes were outlined in a contract reviewed by Chalkbeat Chicago and follow the controversial departure of former CEO Pedro Martinez.
The revised terms come after months of debate surrounding school leadership and reflect ongoing concerns about governance as the district transitions toward a more elected school board. The contract requires only a 60-day notice if King is terminated without cause, or potentially less with an additional payout, while she must provide 90 days’ notice if she chooses to resign. This differs from Martinez’s arrangement, which allowed him six months’ notice before leaving.
King will receive an annual salary of $380,000 under the new deal, almost $20,000 more than Martinez was earning most recently. Her benefits package includes pension contributions equal to 7% of her salary and an additional 10% contribution to a supplemental savings account. She will also have access to a driver and paid vacation time similar to those offered in previous contracts.
A notable change in King’s contract is language emphasizing “the expectation of maintaining productive and professional relationships with critical stakeholders, including the Mayor of Chicago.” This reflects current dynamics within the school board where many members are aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Unlike previous contracts that did not mention the mayor explicitly, this addition highlights shifting priorities as control over school leadership evolves.
Robert Bruno, professor at the School of Labor and Employment Relations at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said “These changes to King’s contract strike me as a return to something more standard.” He added that superintendent salaries have been rising nationally due to increased turnover and pressure on leaders in large districts.
Looking ahead, some advocates remain concerned that further changes could occur when a fully elected board takes over next January. For now, King’s appointment marks another step in ongoing adjustments aimed at balancing stability with accountability within Chicago Public Schools.
