Getting To Know Janice Jackson, Interim CPS CEO

Janice Jackson
CPS Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson will officially take over as acting CEO once Forrest Claypool, who has resigned, exits on Dec. 31. Courtesy of Chicago Public Schools
Janice Jackson
CPS Chief Education Officer Janice Jackson will officially take over as acting CEO once Forrest Claypool, who has resigned, exits on Dec. 31. Courtesy of Chicago Public Schools

Getting To Know Janice Jackson, Interim CPS CEO

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A new year, a new CEO for the Chicago Public Schools. The district will have yet another person in charge — its fourth leader on Mayor Emanuel’s watch — after CEO Forrest Claypool resigned when the district’s inspector general accused him of orchestrating a “full-blown cover-up” meant to undercut an ethics probe of the district’s chief lawyer.

The new interim CEO is Janice Jackson, a CPS school teacher turned principal turned administrator who it’s said was already being groomed as Claypool’s eventual. She’s currently the district’s chief education officer. She’s also a CPS grad.

Morning Shift talks to WBEZ education editor Kate Grossman about Janice Jackson and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for her.