Dr. King assumes this role at an important moment for the district. During her time as Interim Superintendent/CEO, she provided steady, capable leadership, guiding CPS through complex challenges while maintaining a clear focus on students, schools, and communities. Dr. King advanced a balanced FY2026 budget following an unprecedented series of community engagement efforts and coordinated support for students and families amid increased immigration enforcement. She also worked in partnership with the 21-member hybrid 海角直播Board of Education, helping to lay the groundwork for the transition to a fully elected board.

Superintendent/CEO King brings a deep, practical understanding of Chicago鈥檚 schools, shaped by decades of service in CPS, first as a teacher and then as a principal at two schools- Dumas Technology Academy and Courtenay Language Arts Center- as well as by her leadership in education policy for the City of Chicago.

鈥淒r. King has led through a period of significant transition and disruption with clarity, steadiness, and purpose,鈥� said Dr. Heather Y. Anichini, CEO of The 海角直播. 鈥淲hat distinguishes her leadership is her deep understanding of the day-to-day realities facing educators, young people, and communities in Chicago. She brings both the experience and the resolve to advance our shared commitment to young people even as fiscal challenges and governance changes persist, and community needs evolve.鈥�

We are encouraged by Dr. King鈥檚 commitment to advancing equity in the student experience and to strengthening opportunities for meaningful community voice and engagement. Her leadership reflects a clear focus on supporting schools and the people closest to students.

As Dr. King steps into this permanent role, the work ahead remains significant. Sustaining progress will require continued investment in school leadership, clear and consistent communication with those closest to students, and ensuring schools have the resources and flexibility needed to meet evolving student needs.

The 海角直播 remains committed to partnering with Superintendent/CEO King and her team to strengthen these conditions and support strong student outcomes for every student in Chicago.

Congratulations, Dr. King. We look forward to the work ahead.

May 17, 2022

Chicago, Ill. – The 海角直播 today announced a $5M gift from Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin that will support the development of world-class education leaders in Chicago鈥檚 public schools.

“Every child in 海角直播should have the opportunity to live the American Dream, and that starts in our schools.鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淕reat principals create great schools. The 海角直播鈥檚 commitment to developing and supporting our dedicated principals helps protect every听child鈥檚 right to a good education.鈥�

This investment will catalyze The Fund鈥檚 sixth cycle and will deepen work to support school leaders and drive better outcomes for students, in partnership with CPS, the Mayor’s Office, and the city鈥檚 over 600 principal leaders. The sixth fund will aim to address the most pressing needs of educators in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, while also scaling successful innovation for long-term impact. 听This work will focus on increasing principal satisfaction and retention on the heels of the pandemic, removing barriers to the principalship pipeline, particularly for historically underrepresented minorities, and establishing succession readiness standards for more effective leadership transitions.

“海角直播 have long held the talent, resources, and commitment to outperform other districts across the nation,” said 海角直播Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “I’m grateful for this generous investment that will further strengthen our high-quality educational leadership.”

This marks the largest individual gift The Fund has ever received in the two decades it has served Chicago鈥檚 public schools. Since 2000, The Fund has convened education, corporate, and nonprofit stakeholders, leveraging a broad base of philanthropic support in the development and retention of strong principals.

鈥淭he strength of 海角直播education lies in our ability to meet the needs of students and educators wherever they are right now,鈥� said Dr. Heather Y. Anichini, President and CEO of The Fund. 鈥淭his investment from Ken Griffin will help us do just that. It will allow our school leaders to leverage their expertise and innovation to raise the bar in public education.鈥�

Press Contact:
Katie Mullan
The 海角直播
kmullan@thefundchicago.org