Eason-Watkins to be next Schools Chief

Barbara Eason-Watkins, chief education officer of the Chicago Public Schools, will soon replace Arne Duncan as chief executive officer, according to two sources close to the district%u2019s succession planning. President-elect Barack Obama officially selected Duncan as his Secretary of Education during a press conference this morning at Dodge Renaissance Academy.

Eason-Watkins, who has been Duncan%u2019s chief education partner from the start of his administration, would not answer questions about a promotion. %u201CToday is Arne Duncan%u2019s day,%u201D she said after the press conference.

Watkins spent much of her educational career as the principal of McCosh elementary in Woodlawn, where she developed a reputation as a no-nonsense but highly collaborative educational leader. Test scores and attendance climbed significantly during her tenure.

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