Who is He: Brizard, the son of Haitian immigrants, comes from education stock. His father worked as a school principal and his mother as a teacher. Brizard received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Queens College in New York City and received an additional master’s degree in school administration and supervision from the City College of New York. He worked in the New York City school system for 21 years, achieving the post of regional superintendent. Before being appointed CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Brizard served as the superintendent of the Rochester City School District beginning in 2008. During his tenure in upstate New York, the Rochester school system saw an increase in graduation rates as well as improved scores in language arts and mathematics. Attempts to close schools without community hearings made him unpopular with some in Rochester and were seen as typical of his top-down management style. He also ran into problems with the teacher’s union in Rochester.
City Salary: Brizard's salary is temporarily at $250,000 with a contract to tie his compensation with performance.
Goals: Brizard shares Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s goal of creating more options for parents, increasing high school graduation rates, and making schools a safe haven for students. He will begin his work in Chicago with a “Listening Tour” aimed at understanding the needs of Chicago public schools. He wants to see figures on college enrollment and college persistence used as a measure for success for high schools.
Challenges: Brizard must tangle with a $700 million deficit and will need to make difficult decisions to cut back spending in Chicago public schools. With $300 million owed from the state, he will need to show that the schools are tightening their own belt, but they expect to be repaid. A key moment for Brizard will be his interaction with the teacher’s union. With fears increased by the no confidence vote he received in Rochester from the teachers, he will need to be sensitive to the needs of teachers instead of attempting to work independently of them.
Headlines:
Brizard: I Already See Places to Cut
Brizard May Have Difficulty Leaving N.Y.
Brizard Negotiating Higher Pay for Student Achievement
Chicago Politics
School Budget Release Causes Confusion
Chicago Public Schools chief Jean-Claude Brizard silent on school raises
Chicago Public Schools boss tying his pay to 'student achievement'
New Chicago Schools CEO kicks off 'listening tour'
CPS principals given budgets; 4 percent teacher raises not included
Rahm Emanuel's $75M CPS cuts mean longer rides, dirtier schools
CPS board will vote on fate of pay raise
Board meeting Wednesday to consider teacher raises, Brizard said he won't take bonus
Teachers union seeks details of Brizard's contract
Brizard meets with principals, talks contracts
CPS says Brizard's salary in line with other large districts
Outgoing CPS board OK's Brizard's appointment
Brizard, parents begin work on parent contract
Chicago Public School's to cut central office's budget by $75 million
New CEO, Chicago Teachers Union president meet
New CPS leadership faces red ink, lagging student achievement
Setting up possible union fight, Emanuel picks new team to helm CPS
New Chicago schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard to get $250,000 annual salary
New CPS chief defends record in Rochester, 'I am a reformer'
