Dr. Carlos Cotto, 49, is ready to take the reins of the Schenectady City School District, one of the largest school districts in the Capital Region.

The district has about 9,300 students – with 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and a large high school.

Cotto was named the new superintendent of the school district.

He will replace Anibal Soler, who is leaving for a superintendent job in Yonkers.

Cotto’s current role is assistant superintendent of innovation, equity and engagement.

He grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts, and spent more than two decades in Rochester before coming to Schenectady in 2021.

As the new superintendent, he will lead a district with a graduation rate of about 80% right now. He wants to increase that number.

It’s also a time when the district is undergoing a major $300 million revitalization project, while considering the use of AI technology as a weapons detection system inside schools.

Learn about some of his goals as he prepares to start his new job by watching the video of Subrina Dhammi’s story.