New schools chief takes proactive stand <http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/skul11.html> July 11, 2001 BY FRAN SPIELMAN CITY HALL REPORTER Newly appointed Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan told top staffers Tuesday he plans to establish a strategic planning unit to draft a long-term game plan for a Board of Education that, in the past, has been left to react to crises. In his first meeting with 55 top brass, Duncan also vowed to evaluate "functions--not people," and declared an end to the tensions that sometimes existed between the School Board and top management under former CEO Paul Vallas and his uneasy partner, former board President Gery Chico. "He said he tends to work closely with the board and that there's no separation between the board and us. We are all moving forward toward the same goals and objectives," said a top staffer, who asked to remain unnamed. Duncan told the Chicago Sun-Times he expects to have a "wonderful relationship" with a School Board led by newly appointed President Michael Scott, but that's not meant as a slap at Vallas and Chico. "I didn't talk about anything in the past. I talked specifically about Michael Scott and the leadership he brings to the table," he said. As for his plan to create a five-member strategic-planning unit, Duncan said, "I just threw out a bunch of ideas. We've been talking to a lot of people trying to get a sense of what works and what doesn't. How do we continue to drive this thing? I'm not going to comment on specifics. We're not ready yet. It was sort of a brainstorming session." Two weeks ago, Mayor Daley chose Duncan, Vallas' 36-year-old deputy chief of staff, to fill the giant void created by the man whose name has become synonymous with Chicago school reform. Unlike Vallas and Chico, who were a virtual headline machine from the get-go, Duncan has kept his head down, his mouth shut and his ears open. He has been busy meeting quietly with everyone from teachers, principals and local school councils to community and religious groups, business leaders and the heads of local foundations and universities. Duncan said he came away from that dizzying array of meetings with an incredible sense of support for a Chicago school system that, not too long ago, was more like a forgotten stepchild. "The amount of support I've received throughout the city has been fantastic--far beyond my wildest dreams," he said. "The overwhelming message is an extraordinary commitment and willingness to help and make a difference in kids' lives. I really want to harness all that energy, pull it together and get everyone marching in lockstep." Duncan delivered the same message Tuesday during his first official staff meeting. He told top aides that too many decisions in the past have been based on personalities--not functions. His shakeup, if there is one, will be the other way around, the new CEO said. He gave no timetable on the appointment of a new chief education officer. -- This is the CPS Science Teacher List. To unsubscribe, send a message to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For more information: <http://home.sprintmail.com/~mikelach/subscribe.html>. To search the archives: <http://www.mail-archive.com/science%40lists.csi.cps.k12.il.us/>
