Kate Armanini

Kate Armanini is an education reporter for the Tribune. She previously interned on the Tribune's metro desk and covered breaking news for The Boston Globe. Armanini is a graduate of Northeastern University.

Chicago Public Schools interim CEO Macquline King attends a CPS Board of Education meeting at the Loop office on March 4, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago school board to vote on interim CPS CEO Macquline King as permanent leader

March 26, 2026 at 4:26 p.m.

The Chicago Board of Education will vote Monday on whether to hire interim CEO Macquline King permanently, concluding a monthslong national search for the school district’s next leader.

New York City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter speaks after a visit to a Bronx elementary school, Aug. 17, 2021, in New York. (Brittainy Newman/AP)

Chicago Public Schools CEO search: Former New York City schools chief withdraws from consideration

March 20, 2026 at 3:49 p.m.

Meisha Porter, a former New York City schools chief who was named a finalist to lead Chicago Public Schools, has withdrawn from consideration.

Mildred Galvan, 17, center, chats with other students while attending a Schurz High School welcoming event for ASPIRA students who have recently transferred to Schurz, March 18, 2026. Chicago Public Schools began transferring students out of the troubled ASPIRA charter network last month when the operator announced it didn’t have the money to make it through the school year. Galvan is making the transfer from ASPIRA Early College High School to Schurz. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago school board votes to revoke charter of ASPIRA network

March 19, 2026 at 3:54 p.m.

The Chicago Board of Education voted to revoke the charter of the ASPIRA network, ending months of uncertainty over two Avondale high schools.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle addresses supporters during her primary election night watch party at the Little Black Pearl in Chicago on March 17, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Pat Hynes defeats Assessor Fritz Kaegi, as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wins Democratic primary

March 18, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded to challenger Pat Hynes in the race for the Democratic nomination, while Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle declared victory against challenger Ald. Brendan...

Eugene Robinson Jr., director of Black Student Success with Chicago Public Schools, leads an interactive exercise with people attending a community discussion at Phillips High School on East Pershing Road in Chicago on March 11, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Public Schools forges ahead with plan to support Black students

March 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago Public Schools hosted several community meetings to explain its plan to boost Black student achievement.

Families and educators with the Chicago Teachers Union rally outside Aspira Business & Finance High School at 2989 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Chicago on Feb. 26, 2026. Hundreds of students have already left ASPIRA, after the district told families that the operator didn't have the money to finish the school year. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

CPS leaders to ask school board to revoke ASPIRA network’s charter

March 13, 2026 at 7:36 p.m.

Chicago Public Schools said Friday it will ask the school board to revoke the troubled ASPIRA network’s charter due to financial woes.

Chicago Public Schools interim CEO Macquline King, from left, Sito Narcisse, former superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools in Louisiana, and Meisha Porter, a former New York City schools chief, are the three finalists to lead Chicago Public Schools. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune, Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel and Brittainy Newman/AP)

3 finalists announced to lead Chicago Public Schools, including interim chief Macquline King

March 13, 2026 at 4:33 p.m.

The Chicago school board has narrowed its search for a new superintendent to three finalists, including the current interim CEO Macquline King.

Chicago Board of Education members meet at the Loop office on March 4, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Should Chicago school board members be paid? Legislators weigh compensation ahead of historic election

March 9, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A new bill in the Illinois House would pave the way for school board members to receive compensation.

Janet Romo stands outside Chicago's R.H. Lee Elementary School, where she has worked for about a year, on March 6, 2026. Classified as a miscellaneous worker, she has now joined the Service Employees International Union.

‘Miscellaneous’ Chicago Public Schools workers join SEIU

March 6, 2026 at 5:31 p.m.

Almost 1,700 Chicago Public Schools support staffers have joined the Service Employees International Union after the school district dropped an objection to their organizing campaign.

Chicago Public Schools Board of Education Vice President Olga Bautista, left, listens to board members during a meeting at the Loop office, March 4, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Vice president of the Chicago school board to step down

March 4, 2026 at 7:09 p.m.

Chicago Board of Education Vice President Olga Bautista will step down after receiving an award to continue her environmental justice work.

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