The search for a new Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools is officially underway as Dr. Sonja Santelises prepares to leave her position in June 2026 after a decade of leadership.
The school board is initiating the process with a focus on public engagement. A telephone town hall is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, where community members will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the desired qualities and experiences for the next leader of the district.
To assist in the search, the board has engaged the Alma Advisory Group, which will help develop a candidate profile expected to be released in October. Following the telephone meeting, six in-person community forums will be held to gather further input.
Dr. Santelises has been at the helm of the district since 2016, during which she has overseen significant developments, including the construction of 30 new schools and the establishment of a principal pipeline, along with enhanced student support services.
As she prepares to transition out of her role, Dr. Santelises emphasized the importance of addressing chronic absenteeism and creating career pathways for students—goals she hopes her successor will prioritize. “The person coming in after me will absolutely be different, and I think we need to embrace that,” she stated in a recent interview.
Reflecting on her tenure, Dr. Santelises noted the improvements made since her arrival, including the resolution of a heating crisis that left 75 schools without air conditioning. “Now there are no schools without AC,” she highlighted.
Looking forward, she urged the incoming CEO to focus on strong leadership and community engagement, advising them to “build a high-quality team” and to stay connected with the community as if leading for their own children.
Reported by HarborBeat based on CBS News (source).
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