Chicago Public Schools’ refusal to add acting Galileo Scholastic Academy of Math and Science principal Blanca Miarka to an eligibility list to compete for the job permanently should be reconsidered.

Last week, the CPS administrators concluded that Miarka could not be considered to fill the position left vacant after longtime Galileo principal Alfonso Valtierra died because she failed a subjective portion of a standardized skills test.

Their decision comes months after the Galileo school community petitioned CPS and the Board of Education to allow Miarka to remain in the candidate pool, with some 300 others who have gained the proper eligibility certificates from the state. An estimated 50 people joined past and present leadership of the Galileo local school council to seek an exception to CPS policy.

In an age of failed schools and pressure for the reformation of the public education system, Galileo has built a reputation of student success, including success for children with special needs. Over the last four years, 80 percent or more of Galileo students have met or exceeded state standards, for example. The current leadership structure at Galileo looks as good on the street as it does on paper and has strong support from parents and teachers.

CPS says it has never made exceptions for principals who did not make it on to a principal eligibility list. Administrators say the sole reason Miarka, who helped build Galileo from scratch and for 20 years helped to foster its growth and success alongside Valtierra, is not qualified to be hired on a permanent basis is because she failed to give a proper response to a single scenario-based question.

While it is extremely likely that the Galileo school council would offer Miarka a contract — which is their right as an elected body — they are not exactly asking CPS administration to intellectually approve of that choice. The council simply wants her on the eligibility list.

With only a few weeks to go before the school year begins, Galileo LSC leadership says if Miarka is not allowed onto the list through an exception the principal search will begin anew, which could push the process well into the school year.

To not grant an exception in an exceptional circumstance is shortsighted and bespeaks a stereotypically crippled bureaucracy generally reserved for the pages of a Russian novel.

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By Grace from Little Italy
Posted: 08/22/2010 4:35 PM

I absoultely agree that CPS has made another monumental mistake in their decision to play hardball at the expense of Galileo's student community. CPS has many unresolved issues and so far the present administration (Huberman's team) has been shown less than impressive on every front. Galileo has earned an excellent reputation based on the dedication and work ethic of the staff and the parents that trust the school to do their best for all children. CPS needs to learn to pick the right battle.