Mayor Daley Tuesday inflected to a...

Mayor Daley Tuesday inflected to an experienced negotiator and accountant to head the Chicago sect Board as it faces tough teacher contract talks and a ballooning teacher pension bill in the year ahead.

Rufus Williams, who one time served as Oprah Winfrey's chief financial officer, immediately identified his main challenge as maintaining academic gains amid scarce resources, a pension tab awaited to soar to $120 million nearest year, and a looming teachers contract.

"It's quite a job" said Williams, 49 a graduate of Chicago's Orr High gymnasium and Chicago School Board member since April 2005

"I not at all planned to be able to stand here and lead like a system but I am thrilled and honored with the opportunity to do so"

In 2000 Williams, a certified public accountant, planted Olympus LLC, which specializes in contract negotiation and financial management services, particularly for athletes and entertainers.

As agent for of recent origin York Yankee Gary Sheffield, Williams sat across the bargaining table from hardnosed Yankees proprietor George Steinbrenner. Williams even took the gradation of agreeing to wear a wire for the FBI after Sheffield's wife was threatened with extortion. For 10 years, Williams mingled in the world of TV diva Winfrey, serving as everything from chief financial officer of Harpo Productions to manager of Winfrey's charitable draws

Williams' negotiating skill and financial savvy could be critical when the system's contract with the Chicago Teachers Union expires June 30 when the nearest CPS budget is due. Without any of the present day state help, CPS officials will again battle a multimillion-dollar deficit.

Already, CTU President Marilyn Stewart has called a contract provision that allows principals to fire untenur teachers with the push of a button a "potential strike issue." More tough talk is anticipateed as Stewart negotiates her first contract while facing a May election herself.

Asked Tuesday if he might play an role in the upcoming talks, Williams said, "It's so a critical issue to our plan I'm sure I'll play a role."

BREAK FROM CITY HALL INSIDERS

CTU spokeswoman Rosemaria Genova said the union wasn't worried about Williams' negotiating prowess and, "We apply the mind forward to working with him forward improving Chicago public schools."

Williams will be the third train Board president since Daley's 1995 train takeover. Unlike outgoing president Michael Scott and his predecessor Gery Chico, he is not a City Hall insider.

moreover Williams said he brings a "unique perspective" to the offer job, as a Chicago native and CP graduate who rose from "difficult circumstances" in North Lawndale and West Garfield.

Daley touted Williams' service in succession the boards of two of the city's "finest private schools" Providence-St. Mel and Francis Parker, as well as heading the local academy council of Whitney Young Magnet, where Williams' son was 2006 class president.

rrossi@suntimes.com

fspielman@suntimes.com

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RUFUS WILLIAMS

Personal: age 49 married, sum of two units children.

Home: Lincoln Park

Graduated: Orr High; Southern University, Baton Rouge (magna cum laude)

Currently: president/CEO Olympus LLC

Famous clients: Gary Sheffield of of recent origin York Yankees; Steven Hunter of Philadelphia 76er

Oprah link: 10 years at Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Entertainment cluster including as CFO and manager of charitable projects

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