Dr. Carlos M. Cotto, Jr. has been serving as Superintendent of Schools for the Schenectady City School District since May 2024.  Prior to that he served as Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Equity, and Engagement for Schenectady Schools for three years.  Since coming to Schenectady in 2021, Dr. Cotto has garnered resources and successfully led the implementation of many programs designed to ensure opportunity, access, and support for students and families.

Under Dr. Cotto’s leadership, Schenectady successfully relaunched and expanded the “My Brothers Keeper (MBK)” initiative and launched a Community Schools initiative, garnering the support of community partners from all corners of the community, providing an array of resources and services for students and families.  He led the transition of the weekend backpack food program to in-school food pantries, providing increased access to food.  He successfully led the implementation of Schenectady’s wellness policy, the development of extended learning programs, and the expansion of athletics, including the addition of modified sports teams and a new eSport Center at the district’s high school.   Dr. Cotto also successfully led the expansion of adult and continuing education in Schenectady.

Dr. Cotto facilitated the adoption of the Schenectady’s first “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) policy and spearheaded a comprehensive districtwide DEI assessment.  He continues to lead this work across Schenectady schools.

Prior to coming to Schenectady, Cotto served as executive director of health, physical education, and athletics in Rochester City School District where he expanded the athletic program and was instrumental in creating partnerships leading to increased access and opportunities for youth across the Rochester area. 

Dr. Cotto  is a member of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), regional director  for the New York State Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, an active member of My  Brother’s Keeper initiative and a member of the New York State Athletic Association and New York State  Championship Advisory and DEI Committee. Cotto is a recent graduate of the AASA Aspiring  Superintendents Academy for Latino and Latina Leaders and is currently in the Deeper Learning Equity  Fellowship.