Arne Duncan on Byrd-Bennett: Makes you really sad

SHARE Arne Duncan on Byrd-Bennett: Makes you really sad

Depressing — that’s how U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan described the downfall of Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

“It just makes you really sad for the city,” said Duncan, a Chicago native who led CPS for eight years until 2009, when President Barack Obama tapped him for the country’s top education job.

“Whatever happens going forward, I just think CPS needs continuity of leadership at the top,” Duncan said during a brief question-and-answer session with reporters Thursday afternoon after visiting Wendell Phillips Academy High School in Bronzeville.

“There’s been a lot of turnover and we just need stability. I’m sure the mayor will make a good choice and the mayor will figure out what the right thing to do is here, and whatever I can do to help, whatever I can do to support, obviously, I’m all in.”

Byrd-Bennett went on paid leave in April after it was revealed that she was under federal investigation for her role in CPS’ decision to award a $20.5 million no-bid contract in 2013 to her previous employer, Wilmette-based SUPES Academy.

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.