Former Baltimore Schools CEO Takes on Global Education Role Amid Controversies

BALTIMORE — Just days after stepping down from her role as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, Dr. Sonja Santelises has accepted a new position at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization focused on foreign policy.

In a press release dated July 16, CFR announced that Santelises will serve as Vice President, Senior Fellow, and Director of its Center for Education. The organization highlighted her expertise in public education and civic leadership, along with her commitment to promoting academic excellence.

During her tenure as CEO, which began in 2016, Santelises faced significant challenges, including allegations of grade changing and issues related to student enrollment. In 2019, a court ruled that Baltimore City Schools had unlawfully withheld public documents regarding these claims, revealing systemic issues with grade alterations that affected thousands of students.

Additionally, a 2022 report by Maryland’s Inspector General for Education indicated that over 12,500 failing grades had been improperly changed to passing grades over a four-year period, raising concerns about the integrity of the district's academic standards.

Further complicating her legacy, Baltimore City Schools was required to refund over $350,000 to the state after it was found that many students were incorrectly enrolled in Augusta Fells High School, including cases of students who were incarcerated.

Despite these controversies, the CFR's press release praised Santelises for her efforts to improve educational resources and infrastructure during her leadership. Her new role will involve promoting civil discourse and global learning initiatives.

Dr. Santelises is set to begin her new position in September. She has also taken on a role as Superintendent in Residence for The Broad Center at Yale University, where she will mentor leaders in urban education.

As Santelises transitions into her new role, questions remain regarding her previous controversies, which have not been addressed by the Council on Foreign Relations.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).