CHICAGO -- A familiar face returned to Chicago on Monday, stirring speculation that there could be another hat in the ring when the next gubernatorial election comes around.

Paul Vallas, formerly the head of the Chicago Public Schools, said he was considering running for governor.

"Governor would be the only office I would be interested in," Vallas said. "Not that I will be a candidate, but you know, you never say never."

Vallas addressed the City Club of Chicago, NBC5's Dick Johnson reported. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's photo looked over Vallas' shoulder from a City Club banner.

"If I back up, it'll look like I have more hair," Vallas quipped.

Vallas would not comment as to whether a reference to a crisis in Illinois was a reference to Blagojevich's leadership.

"If I become a candidate, then I'll certainly comment on Gov. Blagojevich," Vallas said.

Vallas spoke to the City Club of Chicago about his work as superintendent of the Recovery School District in New Orleans, which has been documented in a recent PBS story, Johnson reported. It is the job Vallas took after moving his brand of school reform leadership from Chicago to Philadelphia.

"I think we have the possibility to build a marvelous school system from scratch," Vallas said in his speech.

While Vallas' passion is what's happening with the nation's schools, many people in the room wanted to know why Vallas' family was living in south suburban Palos Heights, and what he will be doing in a year when his job ends.

"There is just question after question of 'When are you coming back? We need you,'" said Kathy Posner, who moderated the question-and-answer session following the lunch.

Vallas said he doesn't want to think about the future until 2009, Johnson reported. Vallas said he has no interest in running for the mayor of Chicago, and because he hates to fly, also threw cold water on becoming secretary of education for the next president.