Latest news with #DrSonjaSantelises
CBS News
11-08-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Baltimore City Schools CEO prepares for her 10th and final year as district leader
Dr. Sonja Santelises is walking into her 10th and final year as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. She is feeling a mix of emotions as she prepares for her final year as CEO. She sat down with WJZ to reflect on the past decade ahead of the 2025-26 school year. "I have loved leading her," she said. "I love this city's young people. They are some of the most gifted young people anywhere." Dr. Santelises said this year comes with a clearer focus on academic achievement and providing more opportunities for students. "I think there's more intentionality this year, because it's my last year," she said. Dr. Santelises said she stands firm in the effort to drive down chronic absences and strengthen math and reading scores across the district. The City Schools CEO said she feels encouraged as the absenteeism rate has declined year over year since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. "Our chronic absenteeism is still too high, one of the highest in the state," she said. "The real name of the game is acceleration. So that, as the district transitions to new leadership, the new CEO will have the benefit of having that kind of work and that plan in motion." "We're very, very encouraged by the growth that we are seeing at our high school level," Dr. Santelises said. She believes that growth stems from the focus on not just reading, but writing as well. "We have a review and a partner that's going to work with us to be able to take some of that work to the next level," she said. "It's contributing and fueling record numbers of our African American and Latino students who are scoring three or better in AP exams. Dr. Santelises added that there is still a way to go when it comes to improving math scores. Though she said she is pleased to see those figures on an upward trajectory. "We've proven over the last 10 years that we can do growth," Dr. Santelises said. "Now, the question is accelerated growth." As she looks to the new school year, Dr. Santelises said she's working on career readiness for students, and the work continues with efforts to develop a plan for underperforming schools across the city. Dr. Santelises recalled the district's growth. "Building 30 new schools, coming in with a heating crisis, I think my first or second year, where there were 75 schools without air conditioning," she remembered. She said now, there are no schools without AC. She's also proud to see the expansion of school athletics to middle school students. "We know that involvement in productive activity when you are in middle school — be it the arts, athletics, student government — makes it far less likely you're going to be involved in gangs," she said. Though the years came with roadblocks. "I came in in a time when the system was lopsided, the city was reeling from Freddie Gray. So, we spent a lot of time putting systems in place," Dr. Santelises said. "Coming in with a deficit, knowing that we've been under-resourced for generations. Yeah, that's hard." Outside of the classroom, Dr. Santelises is also putting systems in place to allow for an easy transition of power as the Board of School Commissioners searches for a new CEO. She has no say in who will carry the torch after her. However, she shared some advice for the next City Schools CEO. "Build a high-quality team," Dr. Santelises said. "Make sure you are in touch with the community… Lead like you are leading for your own children." The Board of School Commissioners selected the firm Alma Advisory Group to help search for the next district leader. The Board hopes to appoint a new CEO by July 2026.
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Baltimore City schools hire consulting firm to help with search for new CEO
Baltimore City Public Schools has selected a firm to assist in finding the next CEO for the district. Alma Advisory Group, a Chicago-based consulting firm, will help the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners in their search. The firm will evaluate top candidates using a description of qualities outlined by the Board and district stakeholders, as well as ensuring community engagement is woven into each phase of the search process. "This next superintendent is going to represent a generational change for our district," Baltimore City Schools Board Chair Robert Salley said. "We recognized that we need a firm to help make sure that we have top-ranked candidates." Salley said the board wanted a firm that meets the goals of the board, which includes a transparent search. "As we move through the various stages of the search, folks want to know a little bit more information about how the search is progressing, what we are learning in the search, where they can find more information, and how they can get involved," Salley said. Salley said the board is looking for a smooth transition from one leader to the next, as a successor to Dr. Sonja Santelises. "We're looking for a leader who can pick up that baton to help us to continue to think and shape about all those things we know families really care about," Salley said. The new CEO is expected to begin on July 1, 2026. City Schools contract with Alma Advisory Group The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners approved the contract with Alma Advisory Group on Tuesday. The estimated two-year contract is $107,926. The firm will develop a recruitment strategy, refine the job description, assess market competitiveness, and identify candidates who meet the desired qualifications. City Schools also expect Alma to work closely with the Board to ensure a strong and diverse candidate pool, provide regular updates, conduct initial screenings and interviews, support finalist selection, and assist with interview tools, reference checks, contract negotiations, and a post-search debrief. District CEO's contract ends in 2026 Selecting the firm comes after Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises received a second one-year contract extension in October 2024. Her contract ends in June 2026. Santelises, who was appointed CEO in 2017, is the longest-serving CEO in the Baltimore City schools in more than 30 years. Salley said the board hopes for a smooth transition from one leader to the next. About Alma Advisory Group The Baltimore City schools have worked with the consulting firm before. Alma Advisory Group assisted with executive recruitment and hiring efforts for two senior leadership positions, including chief human capital officer and executive director of special education. "The Board is thrilled to begin our partnership with Alma Advisory Group," Salley said. "This is a critical moment for the district, and we are committed to ensuring a transparent and inclusive search that reflects the voices and values of our entire community."
