Report: Schools CEO Ron Huberman May Resign
CHICAGO (CBS) - Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman might resign before Mayor Richard M. Daley leaves office next year, according to a published report Wednesday morning.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Huberman plans to leave his $230,000-a-year post.
But CPS spokeswoman Monique Bond told CBS 2 that Huberman will not leave the job any time soon. He wants to ensure that all critical areas have been addressed, even if that means staying well into next year. Huberman says a smooth transition is crucial and will be his priority.
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Huberman also denied the reports in his own comments, saying he plans to stay into the next school year and will be present to prepare the CPS budget and carry out other initiatives.
"My first responsibility is to ensure that the District continues to operate seamlessly," Huberman said in a statement. "I remain committed to the job of CEO for Chicago Public Schools and will continue to fulfill those duties until I am confident that all critical areas of education and financial stability are met. There is no date to be placed on that priority."
Mayor Richard M. Daley on Wednesday declined to say if Huberman has talked to him about his plans to leave.
"Any time I have a conversation with someone in regards to their life, I'm not going to talk about it until he officially talks about it with you," Daley said. "When he makes his decision, he will talk to me and make the decision."
But the mayor said he is not worried about replacing Huberman if he leaves in the middle of the school year before Daley retires. If that's the case, Daley would likely be naming a replacement for Huberman who would likely be replaced themselves within a few months when the new mayor takes office in May 2011.
"No, we'll be able to find someone," Daley said. "Life goes on. Life goes on."
Asked if he would prefer if Huberman stayed on board until the mayor's term expires, Daley said, "No, don't worry."
But the mayor indicated he wouldn't try to stop Huberman from leaving if he wants to step down before Daley's term is done.
"You never want anybody to be in a position that don't want to be in that position. That is really unfair," Daley said.
The Sun-Times said Huberman is reportedly considering several private-sector offers.
Huberman began his career with the city as a Chicago Police Officer from 1995 to 2004. He headed up the Office of Emergency Management and Communications from 2004 to 2005, and was Mayor Daley's chief of staff from 2005 to 2007. He took over as president of the Chicago Transit Authority from 2007 to 2009.
Last year, he was appointed schools CEO after his predecessor, Arne Duncan, went to Washington to become the U.S. Secretary of Education. Huberman was appointed to the post despite having no background in education.
While he has not indicated any plans to run, Huberman's name has been suggested as a possible mayoral candidate.
