Baltimore City’s school board voted Tuesday to contract with a Chicago-based consulting firm to find the district’s next chief executive.
Alma Advisory Group will receive $107,926.00 from the school district to select a new CEO. The contract term begins May 28 and will run through May 2027, according to board documents.
The Board of Commissioners approved the contract in a unanimous vote as part of its consent agenda.
“Alma has a proven track record of successful talent management searches for districts large and small with a clear focus on equity and diversity,” board Vice-Chair Ashiah Parker said during Tuesday’s meeting.
“Their customized approach meets the unique context of our district, and their transparent and inclusive community engagement sets them apart in the executive search field,” she said.
The board document says the company will work closely with the school community at all levels to recruit the next head of the district, which educates over 76,800 students and employs more than 9,800 staff members.
Current CEO Sonja Santelises, who was hired in 2016, is the district’s longest-serving executive in decades. She will step down in June 2026.
The school board began seeking proposals from search firms in February. The district projects that it will appoint its next CEO in July 2026, according to its website.
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