Rochester-based “Guide to JC Brizard”
Chicago Tribune photo
Rahm Emanuel refused to allow the Chicago media to ask any questions of his appointee for CPS CEO, JC Brizard, at today’s press conference, and says that they will not have a opportunity to ask him any questions until after he is approved by the Board of Education, which could be as late as the end of May.
So, to fill the information vacuum, I forwarded this “Guide to JC Brizard” to Chicago media which as compiled for us by Rochester reporter Rachel Barnhart. She writes:
“I’ve been contacted by more than a few Chicago-area reporters and community members who want to know about their incoming schools chief. I’ve prepared this list of what I consider to be revealing and important stories during his tenure. I’ll let you decipher the running theme. My advice is to fact-check absolutely everything, ask tons of questions and file lots and lots of FOILs.”
2009:
RCSD Board to Question Brizard’s Raise
Brizard Hires $100,000-a-Year, Part-Time Special Assistant
RCSD’s Central Kitchen Cited by Health Inspectors
RCSD Spent Thousands on Restaurants, Catering
Principals Told to Cut Art, Music, Phys Ed
2010:
Brizard Created Cabinet Positions Without Board Approval
RCSD Cabinet Spending at Record Levels
Brizard Said He Didn’t Give Raises to Top Staff, but He Did
State Test Scores Plummet, Erasing Gains
Brizard Spinning Graduation Data
Former Superintendent Blasts Brizard’s Interpretation of Grad Rate Data
EEOC Finds Brizard Discriminated Against Official
2011
Staff Survey Finds Little Support for Brizard
Fact-Checking Brizard on Cabinet Spending
State: Only 5% of RCSD Grads Ready for College
RCSD Budget Deeply Cuts Arts, Music, Foreign Language
Julie Woestehoff is PURE's executive director. Julie's work has earned her a Ford Foundation award and recognition as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Chicago.