Paul Vallas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Vallas
Vallas in March 2023
Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools
In office January 3, 2012 – November 8, 2013 Acting: January 3, 2012 – June 24, 2013
Preceded by	John Ramos
Succeeded by	Fran Rabinowitz (acting)
Superintendent of the Recovery School District of Louisiana
In office June 2007 – May 1, 2011
Preceded by	Robin Jarvis
Succeeded by	John White
CEO of the School District of Philadelphia
In office July 2002 – June 2007
Preceded by	Phil Goldsmith
Succeeded by	Thomas Brady (acting)
CEO of Chicago Public Schools
In office July 10, 1995 – June 26, 2001
Appointed by	Richard M. Daley
Preceded by	Argie Johnson (Superintendent)
Succeeded by	Arne Duncan
Personal details
Born	Paul Gust Vallas (1953-06-10) June 10, 1953 (age 72) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sharon Vallas ​ (m. 1984)​
Children	3
Education	Moraine Valley Community College Western Illinois University (BA, MA)
Signature

Paul Gust Vallas Sr. (born June 10, 1953) is an American politician and former leader in education. He has served as the superintendent for several school districts. These include the Bridgeport Public Schools in Connecticut and the Recovery School District of Louisiana. He was also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the School District of Philadelphia and the Chicago Public Schools. Before that, he worked as a budget director for the city of Chicago.

As a school superintendent, Vallas was known for supporting charter schools. He also believed in using private companies to help manage school programs.

Paul Vallas is a member of the Democratic Party. He has run for elected office several times but has not won. He was a candidate for governor of Illinois in 2002. He also ran for lieutenant governor in 2014. More recently, he was a candidate in the 2019 Chicago mayoral election and the 2023 Chicago mayoral election. In the 2023 election, he made it to the final round but was defeated by Brandon Johnson.

Early Life and Public Service

Paul Vallas is the grandson of Greek immigrants. He grew up in the Roseland area of Chicago's South Side. Later, he lived in Palos Heights during his teenage years.

He went to Carl Sandburg High School. Then he studied at Moraine Valley Community College and Western Illinois University. There, he earned degrees in history and political science. He also received a teaching certificate.

From 1985 to 1990, Vallas worked for the Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission. From 1990 to 1993, he was Chicago's budget director. He worked under Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Leading School Districts

Paul Vallas led school districts in four different U.S. cities. Many people saw him as a "crisis manager." He was known for taking on tough jobs and making big changes. He also supported charter schools.

Dale Mezzacappa, a writer for Education Next, described his leadership style. She said he had endless energy and a strong personality. He liked to do things in a big way, quickly, and all at once.

Chicago Public Schools CEO

Vallas was the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from 1995 to 2001. The position of CEO was created by Mayor Richard M. Daley. The mayor had convinced the state to give him control over CPS.

During his time at CPS, Vallas worked to improve the school system. President Bill Clinton praised his efforts. Vallas helped raise test scores and balance the budget. He started new programs like mandatory summer school and after-school programs. He also expanded alternative, charter, and magnet schools. Under his leadership, the use of standardized testing increased.

Vallas also put in place strict discipline policies. He increased the number of special schools, like selective enrollment high schools and public military schools. He also started many International Baccalaureate programs in high schools.

In 1995, CPS was facing a large budget problem. Vallas created a plan to save money. He reduced staff, sold unused properties, and changed how money was used for teacher pensions. This change in pension funding, along with other factors, later led to a big budget crisis for CPS.

In June 2001, Vallas announced he was leaving his job. His departure came after test scores dropped, which had made Mayor Daley upset. Vallas's six years as CEO were longer than the average for school superintendents in big U.S. cities.

Many people praised Vallas's time at CPS. They said he improved the school district. Martha Woodall of The Philadelphia Inquirer said he was a "savvy, hard-working, blunt-speaking manager." Elizabeth Useem wrote that he was an "energetic leader" who made quick, big changes. However, some critics said he did not work well with community groups. They also felt he was not open to criticism.

Philadelphia School District CEO

In July 2002, Vallas became the CEO of the School District of Philadelphia. This happened after the state took control of the district. Vallas quickly suggested reforms similar to those he made in Chicago.

He oversaw a large project where private companies managed over 40 schools. A study in 2007 found that these privately managed schools did not show much better results than other schools. Schools that stayed under district management but got extra help showed similar improvements in math.

Vallas changed the school district's structure. He made it K–8 and 9–12 grades, removing most middle schools. He also made the school curriculum the same across the district. New after-school, Saturday, and summer school programs were created. Many of these were run by private companies. Vallas also worked on building new schools and fixing old ones. He increased the number of privately run discipline schools and alternative schools. Programs like International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement were expanded.

During Vallas's time, standardized test scores slowly went up. However, 11th-grade scores remained low. More schools met the "Adequate Yearly Progress" goals from the No Child Left Behind law. But Vallas could not lower the district's high dropout rate.

Vallas left the job in June 2007 for a position in Louisiana. Philadelphia magazine called him the "most effective Philadelphia schools chief in a generation." However, a $73.3 million budget problem appeared near the end of his time. This was a source of criticism. Vallas's many new programs contributed to this budget shortfall. His five years in Philadelphia were longer than the typical time for school superintendents.

Louisiana Recovery School District Superintendent

Vallas became the superintendent of the Recovery School District of Louisiana in 2007. He led the district until 2011. He greatly increased the number of charter schools in the system.

Bridgeport Public Schools Superintendent

In December 2011, the board of education in Bridgeport, Connecticut, hired Vallas. He became the interim superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools starting January 1, 2012.

In June 2013, Vallas became the permanent superintendent. However, a judge ordered him removed because he had not completed required coursework. The Connecticut Supreme Court later reversed this decision, and Vallas was reinstated.

Vallas resigned on November 8, 2013. He left to run for lieutenant governor of Illinois.

Other Work in Education

In 2002, before his Philadelphia role, Vallas applied to be Illinois superintendent of education.

While working in New Orleans, Vallas helped rebuild Haiti's school system. This was after the 2010 earthquake. Actor Sean Penn asked Vallas to join his relief foundation's board, which Vallas accepted. Vallas also worked on school matters in Chile after an earthquake there. This work in Chile and Haiti lasted several years.

After the 2014 election, Vallas worked with the Bronner Group and the United States Department of Justice. They developed a prison education program. He continued to work as a consultant for the Bronner Group.

Paul Vallas is a co-chair of the Advisory Board for the National Education Support Network. He was a lead consultant for a plan to create the first publicly funded school system in Haiti. In 2021, he was a chief planner for the Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy.

Political Campaigns

2002 Campaign for Governor of Illinois

Logo of Vallas's 2002 gubernatorial campaign

After leaving Chicago Public Schools, Vallas ran for governor of Illinois as a Democrat. He came in second place in the Democratic primary election in March 2002. He lost to then-U.S. Congressman Rod Blagojevich.

Vallas received support from former congressman Glenn Poshard. He also got endorsements from the Chicago Tribune and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers.

2014 Campaign for Illinois Lieutenant Governor

Vallas as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, August 2014

Quinn-Vallas 2014 campaign logo

In November 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn chose Vallas to be his running mate. This was for the 2014 election. Quinn praised Vallas for fighting for education and opportunities. Many people were surprised by Quinn's choice. During the campaign, Vallas strongly criticized Bruce Rauner, the opposing candidate.

Quinn and Vallas lost the election to the Republican team of Bruce Rauner and Evelyn Sanguinetti.

2019 Chicago Mayoral Candidacy

Vallas marching in the 2019 Chicago Pride Parade

In March 2018, Vallas officially became a candidate for the 2019 Chicago mayoral election.

When he entered the race, Vallas was seen as a strong challenger to the mayor at the time, Rahm Emanuel. After Emanuel decided not to run again, many more candidates joined the race. One of them was Gery Chico, who had worked with Vallas at Chicago Public Schools. Vallas had supported Chico in a previous mayoral election, but he still criticized Chico as an opponent in this race.

Vallas often talked about his record as head of Chicago Public Schools. He said he helped improve the school system. PolitiFact said his claim that CPS was healthier under his leadership was "mostly true."

Vallas in December 2018

Vallas promised to fight political corruption in Chicago.

Vallas's campaign logos for his 2019 mayoral bid

He was endorsed by Deborah Lynch, a former president of the Chicago Teachers Union. Rocky Wirtz, chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks, was a big donor to Vallas's campaign. The Chicago Republican Party also endorsed Vallas, which was unusual for a mayoral race.

Vallas's campaign sent text messages to people. A lawsuit was filed against his campaign. It claimed the campaign sent texts without permission. Vallas said the lawsuit was a "dirty trick."

In the first round of the election, Vallas placed ninth out of fourteen candidates. He received 5.43% of the votes. He did not advance to the final round. After this, Vallas endorsed Lori Lightfoot.

2023 Chicago Mayoral Candidacy

First Round

In June 2022, Vallas announced he would run for mayor again in the 2023 election. He challenged the current Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Vallas criticized Lightfoot's administration. He said she lacked accountability for rising crime and violence in the city.

Vallas's campaign team included well-known consultants. These included Joe Trippi and pollster Mark Mellman.

Vallas focused his campaign on the issue of crime. He promised to make the school day and school year longer. He also pledged to give parents "100% choice" over which schools their children attend.

Vallas was the only white, non-Hispanic candidate in the 2023 mayoral election. Other candidates were Black or Latino. Some observers noted that Vallas was running as a candidate who supported the police. He received the endorsement of Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) union.

Vallas in December 2022

Vallas speaking to the media in January 2023

Vallas was also endorsed by other unions and the Chicago Tribune newspaper. He was seen as a moderate or conservative candidate compared to others.

By early February, polls showed Vallas was a leading candidate. He faced questions about his permanent home. An investigation suggested he might live in Palos Heights, not Chicago. Vallas said he lived in Chicago, but his wife lived in Palos Heights to care for her parents. His Twitter account also faced scrutiny for liking certain tweets. Vallas denied liking them and claimed his account was hacked.

On February 28, 2023, Vallas won the most votes in the first round. He received 32.91% of the vote. This led to a runoff election where he faced Brandon Johnson. Vallas had strong support in downtown Chicago and parts of the northwest and southwest sides. Many believe his "tough-on-crime" stance helped him.

Runoff

Four candidates who were eliminated in the first round endorsed Vallas. These included businessman Willie Wilson and Aldermen Roderick Sawyer and Sophia King. Many other aldermen also endorsed Vallas.

Vallas alongside Brandon Johnson at a runoff mayoral forum at Kenwood Academy, March 2023

Some unions and individuals who had supported Lightfoot in the first round endorsed Vallas. These included the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers and Plumbers Local 130. Other groups like the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce also endorsed him. Notable figures like former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White supported Vallas.

The president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police union made strong comments about the other candidate, Brandon Johnson. Vallas criticized these remarks, calling them "absolutely irresponsible."

Vallas accused Johnson of lacking "substance" and a strong political record. Vallas also campaigned on lowering crime. He said Johnson wanted to "defund the police".

Johnson criticized Vallas, saying he was a Republican pretending to be a Democrat. Johnson pointed to Vallas's ties to Republican groups and conservative causes. Vallas responded by saying he was a "lifelong Democrat." He mentioned his past campaigns as a Democrat. Johnson also said Vallas had hurt Chicago Public Schools' finances.

Vallas raised much more money than Johnson for his campaign. He raised $18 million and spent almost $17 million.

After Johnson was projected to win, Vallas conceded the election.

Other Activities

In 2020, Vallas worked as an unpaid consultant for Chicago's Fraternal Order of Police police union. He helped with their contract negotiations with the city. The Union's head said Vallas's help was useful in their bargaining.

Political Stances

Vallas (far left) at a mayoral forum during the 2019 mayoral election in December 2018

During his 2002 campaign for governor, Vallas was against carrying firearms secretly. He also supported banning semi-automatic firearms. He supported a plan to change and add runways at O'Hare International Airport. He also wanted to build a new airport in Chicago's southern suburbs. Vallas was against a proposed casino in Rosemont, Illinois. He believed gambling should only be allowed to help the economy grow. He also opposed raising the state income tax during an economic downturn.

In his 2023 mayoral campaign, Vallas ran as a "tough-on-crime" candidate.

Personal Life

Paul Vallas married his wife, Sharon Vallas, in 1984. They have three children.

Electoral History

Works Authored

Op-eds

• "Chicago's road to financial calamity" (published October 20, 2021, in Crain's Chicago Business)
• "The city and Cook County government have surrendered their obligation to keep us safe" (published February 15, 2022, in the Chicago Tribune)
• Some fast, necessary solutions that would improve the Chicago Police Department and reduce violent crime" (published March 9, 2022, in the Chicago Tribune)
• "It will take proactive policing to defend downtown Chicago" (published March 9, 2022, in the Chicago Tribune)
• "Let's put an end to Chicago leaders' fuzzy budgeting math with a council budget office" (published March 9, 2022, in the Chicago Tribune)
• "By failing to extend the Invest in Kids Act, Illinois is moving to eradicate parental choice" (published June 2, 2023, in the Chicago Tribune)

See also

In Spanish: Paul Vallas para niños