CPS is overhauling the system it uses to oversee clusters of schools. The old Area Instructional Officers are being replaced by Chief Area Officers. It’s not all just semantics, though. While most of the geographic boundaries are the same, CPS is creating a new area to focus on special education.

What’s behind the changes? CPS Chief Ron Huberman is known for his data-driven management style, and he's nothing if not good at making organizations run more efficiently.

“The Chief Area Officers will be charged with driving improvement in the schools that comprise their areas and they will be given resources and autonomy with specific expected outcomes,” Huberman said in a news release.

Whoa, jargon. We were hoping spokeswoman Monique Bond could put all this in layman's terms, but she hasn't called back.

The district also says the new system of area officers will improve leadership and accountability. It’s also a way of decentralizing the district’s operations. Officers will meet weekly with the principals of the schools they oversee.

Nine of the 22 CAO spots will be filled by people who were previously Area Instructional Officers. Several other CPS administrators and school principals will also be shifting to the roles, and the district has hired outsiders for the rest. The new area officers won’t supervise Autonomously Managed Performance Schools, charters or turnarounds. Alexander Russo found bios on all of the new area officers.