AT CLARK STREET Peggy Davis, chief of staff to CEO Arne Duncan, has resigned to return to Winston & Strawn, the Chicago law firm where she previously was partner. A replacement has not been named. … Alfred Williams of the Office of Accountability has been named director of a new program to help struggling students make the transition to high school. … Analila Chico, principal of Healy, was named area 12 instructional officer, replacing Emil DeJulio, who is now Area 6 AIO. Mary Jo Nyhan, former principal at the now-closed Arts of Living Alternative School, replaces Chico as acting principal. … Andrea Kerr, an administrator reporting to the Chief Education Officer, has retired after 36 years with CPS. A replacement has not been named.
MOVING IN/ON Reginald Jones, former program officer at The Joyce Foundation, has joined the Steans Family Foundation as executive director, a post that was vacated last spring by Gregory Darneider, who left to head the new CPS office of post-secondary education. … Sylvia S. Gibson, former Chicago director of New Leaders for New Schools, an alternative principal certification program, was hired by School Board President Michael Scott to oversee student test score improvement at Westcott Elementary in West Chatham. New Leaders co-founder Benjamin Fenton is the interim director.
PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS The following interim principals have been awarded contracts: Lucille Denmark, Reed; Zaida Hernandez, Jungman; Linda Langhart, Songhai; Ana Martinez-Estka, Avondale; Henry R. Thompson III, Colemon; Gail D. Ward, Payton College Prep; Zelma Woodson, Jenner. … Cynthia Miller, assistant principal at Curtis, is interim principal at Fiske.
Assistant principals who have been awarded contracts: Coralia Barraza, Orozco; Lee Jackson, Crown; Barbara B. Sims, Haley; Cora J. Suddoth, Field.
Acting principals who have been awarded contracts: Gwendolyn Boyd, Marshall; Jacqueline Buford-Gage, Farren; Pamela G. Dyson, Brooks College Prep; Barbara Kent, Burley; Beverly Ann Martin, Swift; Paula Rossino, Peirce; Linda Sienkiewicz, Audubon; Shelby Taylor, Revere.
Principals whose contracts have been renewed: Alford G. Bridges, Gresham; Frank Candioto, Foreman; Keith P. Foley, Lane Tech; Jerryelyn L. Jones, Curie High; Saundra Jones, West Park; Rebecca McDaniel, Suder; Angelena Smith, Carroll/Rosenwald; Miguel Velazquez, Whitney.
Other new principal contracts include: Ceola Davis-Barnes, formerly principal at now-closed Terrell, is contract principal at Neil; Phyllis M. Hodges, teacher coordinator for CPS human resources, Fenger High; John S. Katzberger, assistant principal at Hamline, Graham; Rudy Lubov, formerly principal at Bateman, Gale; Jarvis Sanford, New Leaders for New Schools intern, Wendell Smith.
PRINCIPAL RETIREMENTS Patricia Mizerka, Irving; Rita Ortiz, assistant principal at Norwood Park, becomes principal. Shirley J. Woodard, William H. King; Assistant Principal Shelton Flowers becomes acting principal. Principal Kent Nolen of Harper High has resigned; Ronn Gibbs, management support director of Region 5, becomes principal.
SERVICE FOR DOLLARS Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to introduce legislation next spring that would require state merit scholarship winners to complete at least 50 hours of community service before receiving a $1,000 cash prize. Blagojevich says he aims to extend the requirement to all students, which would make Illinois the second state in the nation with such a policy.
AWARDS The leadership team of Parents United for Responsible Education (PURE) Chicago—Johnny O. Holmes, Wanda Hopkins, Ismael Vargas and Julie Woestehoff—and Arnold Aprill, director of the Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, are winners of Ford Foundation leadership awards. The honor recognizes outstanding leaders who successfully tackle tough social problems. Each organization will receive $100,000 to advance their work, and another $15,000 for support activities.