BALTIMORE, Md. — The Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) Board of School Commissioners is actively seeking a new CEO as Dr. Sonja Santelises prepares to step down on June 30, 2026, after a decade in the role.
With a student population exceeding 76,000 across 160 schools and programs, the next leader will face significant responsibilities. Ashiah Parker, vice chair of the board, emphasized the importance of finding a candidate who is not only skilled but also deeply committed to the unique challenges and strengths of the Baltimore community.
The search process has begun with the creation of a candidate profile that outlines the desired skills and attributes for the new CEO. To aid in this effort, the board has engaged Alma Advisory Group, a consulting firm from Chicago with expertise in urban school system recruitment.
“The board is designing and conducting the search while the firm provides professional guidance on policy and industry standards,” Parker stated. Robert Salley, the board chair, highlighted the importance of incorporating community feedback, noting that insights from families, teachers, and students will be gathered to shape the search.
Once the board finalizes the candidate profile, they will post the position and begin recruiting. Interviews with potential candidates are expected to take place in the fall and early spring. The search is open nationwide, with the board expressing a preference for candidates who can meet the community's needs, regardless of their current location.
Parker encouraged potential applicants by stating, “Baltimore is a beautiful city, and our children and families are fantastic. This is an opportunity to make a generational change in our community.”
For those interested in the search process or who have questions, the board has established a dedicated email: [email protected].
Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR 2 News Baltimore (source).
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