Updated at 6:18 pm on 11/3/10

Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman will leave his job on Nov. 29, after just one year and 10 months at the helm of the nation’s third largest school district. 

Huberman’s announcement comes during a chaotic time, as the district prepares to negotiate a new evaluation system with the Chicago Teachers Union and battles a court injunction on the layoffs of tenured teachers. The news also comes as the No. 2 spot at CPS, the chief education officer, is also vacant.

“Well look, nobody is excited about transitions for large school districts like this,” says Robin Steans, executive director of Advance Illinois. ” It’s always helpful and desirable to have continuity.”

Steans says the Chicago Board of Education could help pick up the slack, but she doubts a temporary CEO will be able to tackle big policy changes.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Huberman says he wants to spend more time with his family. But his departure was reported last month by the Sun-Times and is considered to be part of the fallout from Mayor Richard Daley’s announcement that he will not seek another term in office. Last month Huberman told WBEZ his departure was not imminent, and that he was still focused on the work of the district. “But I think eyes wide open for everyone is, it would be expected is, when there’ll be a new mayor, that there are… those scenarios almost always [include] transitions.”

In a press statement, Huberman said, “I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have served this city and Mayor Daley as its leader. I have been privileged to work with so many talented people who tirelessly have made this city a better place to work and call home.”

The statement also said Huberman had “privately expressed his interest not to serve another administration.” 

Huberman joined CPS after serving stints at the Chicago Transit Authority, the Office of Emergency Management and Communication, and the mayor’s office.

Huberman sent the following e-mail to district employees Wednesday afternoon:

Dear Colleagues:

Last week I informed Mayor Daley and President Richardson-Lowry that my last day as chief executive of Chicago Public Schools will be November 29, 2010. I wanted to take a moment to let you know what a privilege it has been to serve you, our students, their families, and our school communities.

Over the last two years at CPS, I’ve had the honor and privilege to meet—and to work alongside—some of the most talented, thoughtful and dynamic people I have met in my career. I have also had the unique opportunity to engage with CPS students, an opportunity that is rare and special.

Having visited hundreds of our schools, I was always energized by my conversations with our students, teachers, principals and assistant principals, whose ideas and input shaped my thinking every day. I know we all share a fundamental belief that our schools must—and can—improve, and that all of our students can succeed.

Many of you are concerned about next steps in terms of leadership at CPS.  The district will be in good hands. I expect Mayor Daley to appoint a replacement soon, and I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition to new leadership.

As I reflect on my 16 years in public service, no challenge has been greater or more fulfilling than improving educational outcomes for our students. I want to thank you for the opportunity to work with—and learn from—you over the last two years. The work you do shapes the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of students each day, and it has been an honor to get to know so many of you.

—Ron