EDGEBROOK — Named one of the best leaders in the Chicago Public Schools, Edgebrook Elementary School Principal Chad Weiden said he would use the honor to focus on "the big picture" at the top-rated Northwest Side school.
Weiden, who has led Edgebrook Elementary since 2013, is one of 28 principals selected as the first participants in CPS' new Independent Schools Principal program, which is designed to allow the top-performing principals to operate with more autonomy.
Weiden said he was "shocked and surprised" to be selected from among 90 principals who applied for the program. Those who received proficient or distinguished ratings during their 2012-13 and 2013-14 evaluations were eligible for the program, officials said.
"I'm very honored," Weiden said.
Weiden and the other principals picked for the program "will be exempt from network oversight and evaluation by network chiefs, and granted greater flexibility with regard to professional learning content, budgeting and purchasing for their schools," according to a statement from CPS officials.
“This is an opportunity for some or our strongest principals to focus more time on their schools and their students, and not on red tape," said CPS CEO Forrest Claypool in a statement.
Weiden said he planned to spend more time in the classroom, coaching teachers and talking to parents.
But Weiden said he would mostly use the time to innovate ways to help students at the Edgebrook school, 6525 N. Hiawatha Ave., and "focus on the big picture."
In addition, Weiden said he was looking forward to working with the other principals in the program, and using their expertise.
"It is great that the district trusts Edgebrook to run a quality school," Weiden said.
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