Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education | Boston, Massachusetts The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education have named Pedro Martinez as the next Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), effective July 1, 2025.Mr. Martinez currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), where he oversees the nation’s fourth-largest school district. A seasoned education leader, Mr. Martinez has championed academic innovation, multilingual education, and equitable access to student supports throughout his career. He previously served as superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District, where he led dramatic improvements in student performance and implemented groundbreaking strategies to close achievement gaps.Mr. Martinez began his career in finance before transitioning to education leadership roles, including in Nevada’s Clark County School District and Washoe County School District. A proud immigrant and graduate of Chicago Public Schools, he brings to the Commissioner role a deep understanding of education systems and a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for all students. Martinez holds an MBA from DePaul University and a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. For more information, read the official press release.Katie Rockman and Tatiana Oberkoetter led this search with Arianna Williams and Maria Connor.
