Educator and U.S. Department of Education Policy Advisor Robert Salley Brings Local and National Expertise to School Board

BALTIMORE, MD. (Tuesday, February 1, 2022) — Mayor Brandon M. Scott has selected former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation fellow, Teach For America teacher, and U.S. Department of Education policy advisor Robert Salley to the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners today. 

“It is my sincere pleasure to appoint Robert Salley as a Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners member,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “I want to thank Mr. Salley for making this important personal and professional commitment to serve the best interests of our city’s youth. With his assistance and support, I know that we will succeed in our shared goal to put our young people in the best position possible to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.”

A longtime education policy expert and reform advocate, Salley brings a wealth of experience to the position. He has been a longtime champion of educational equity for Black and indigenous communities. Additionally, he will bring his background in performance management and oversight to this role, ensuring that Baltimore City Public Schools operate in a way that maximizes students’ potential. 

“I am honored to serve the students and parents of Baltimore City and the greater community,” said Robert Salley. “I began my teaching career here 20 years ago and continue to believe in the importance of supporting our students in achieving a high-quality education and preparation for post-secondary success.”

Robert Salley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Nevada, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. He currently serves as the Deputy Director for WestEd, a San Francisco, CA-based nonprofit focused on improving learning, healthy development, and equity in schools and communities throughout the country. 

Salley fills the vacancy created by the departure of Commissioner Martha James-Hassan, whose term expired in 2020. 

This spring, Mayor Scott will open a new selection process to fill the vacancies of Commissioners Linda Chinnia and Michelle Harris Bondima, whose terms expired in June 2021.

The School Board is responsible for raising the level of academic achievement of the more than 80,000 students enrolled in Baltimore City Public Schools, and for improving the management and administration of the city’s public school system. It is composed of 10 commissioners, nine adults who serve three-year terms and one student who serves a one-year term. In 2022, an additional two elected commissioners will join the board, making for a 12-member body. The Mayor appoints commissioners from candidate pools recommended by a community panel, the final step in a larger application process led by the Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success.