Professor named interim chief education officer for Chicago schools

From The Chicago Tribune: A University of Chicago professor has been chosen as the interim chief education officer of the Chicago public school system. Charles M. Payne, 62, teaches urban education, school reform and race minority relations at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. He is on loan from the university and said he is not interested in the school district job full time. The job has been vacant since the end of June, when Barbara Eason-Watkins left to become superintendent of the Michigan City, Ind., public schools. Supporters say Payne brings to the table his community organizing skills and research involving urban school reform.