The Tacoma Public Schools will welcome Carla Santorno as deputy superintendent effective July 1.
“We are assembling a strong leadership team and Carla Santorno’s qualifications and experience fit perfectly into the district’s vision,” said Superintendent Art Jarvis. “I am thrilled both personally and professionally that someone as capable as Carla will be joining the Tacoma Public Schools.”
Santorno will serve as the district’s deputy superintendent with the explicit responsibility of chief academic officer focusing on academic excellence for all district students.
Santorno said, “My great passion is to partner with fellow educators working together to take their students to a higher level of achievement. Tacoma is eager to do just that, and I look forward to the opportunities that serving as deputy superintendent will provide."
Currently, she serves as chief academic officer for Seattle Public Schools. Santorno is experienced in making system-wide changes that result in increased student achievement and that eliminate the achievement gap between white students and students of color.
"Seattle owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Carla for her service here as chief academic officer. Carla's leadership in creating Seattle's academic milestones three years ago laid the foundation for the academic vision we now embrace in Excellence for All,” said Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson, superintendent, Seattle Public Schools. “She is a cherished colleague and we wish her the best in her new role as Deputy Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools."
Born in Kansas, Santorno attended Denver Public Schools, where she later spent 28 years of her career as a teacher, principal and area superintendent. The first person in her family to graduate from high school, Santorno has learned personally how powerful education can be, and she wants to ensure all children have the same opportunities.