The search for the new leader of Chicago Public Schools has narrowed to two contenders following the withdrawal of one candidate from the race.

There is now a growing demand for the mayor to expedite the appointment process to fill this critical position permanently.

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Pedro Martinez, the previous CPS CEO, stepped down in June last year when his contract concluded, leading to Macquline King’s appointment as interim CEO.

Currently, there’s a push urging the mayor to endorse King for the permanent CEO role.

As the Board of Education approaches the final months of the academic year and begins preparations for the upcoming fall term, the identity of the next permanent CEO remains uncertain.

For the past nine months, King has effectively managed the interim CEO duties, having risen through the ranks within CPS. Her supporters argue that it’s time for her to be officially appointed as the next CEO.

“In her first 60 days as interim CEO, she balanced probably one of the most challenging budgets that CPS has ever endured, with no school cut days, no furlough days, and we did not have to take out a high-interest loan,” Education Committee member Alderman Stephanie Coleman said.

Coleman says those are good reasons for King to be the next CEO.

Last week, the board named three finalists that included King.

Also in the running is Sito Narcisse, who most recently served as superintendent of East Baton Rouge Public Schools.

Meisha Porter, who served as New York City Schools chancellor, withdrew her name after it became public.

“Well, I think she got a close look at the situation we have here, what a mess,” 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea said. “Who would want to come here and take this on?”

There are also calls from Latino leaders in the city for CPS to choose a new CEO with deep experience serving Latinos and immigrants.

The president of the Latino Policy Forum released a statement that said in part, “Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students are Latino and a significant and growing number are English Learners. … Children and families deserve to see themselves in their leaders. They also deserve leaders who see them, know them, and fight for them.”

“I do hope, within a very short time period, especially considering that one of the candidates has dropped out of the running for CPS leadership, I do hope that the mayor and this administration and the board makes a decision sooner rather than later,” Coleman said.

The two remaining finalists will interview with Mayor Brandon Johnson as well as a community panel of educators, parents and students. But what’s not clear is how quickly that will happen and how soon the Board could meet to vote on a new CEO.