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School District of the Chathams names Dr. Emily Sortino superintendent, effective July 1, 2025
Summary
The Board of Education approved the appointment of Dr. Emily Sortino as superintendent effective July 1, 2025. Board members, staff and members of the public offered endorsements; the vote on personnel items passed unanimously.
The School District of the Chathams Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Emily Sortino as the district’s next superintendent effective July 1, 2025.
Board members approved personnel agenda items, including the special personnel item naming Dr. Sortino, during the board’s regular meeting. The vote on the personnel agenda items and the addendum passed 7-0, with several board members offering public endorsements for Sortino before the vote.
Board members and staff emphasized Sortino’s district experience during the meeting. In remarks introducing the appointment, a board representative said the district was “thrilled to recommend Doctor Emily Sortino as Superintendent of Schools for the School District of the Chathams effective 07/01/2025.” The board cited Sortino’s four years as assistant superintendent in Chatham and prior roles as a special-education teacher, a middle school principal in Demorest, an elementary principal in Livingston and director of secondary special education.
In brief remarks to the board, Dr. Sortino thanked trustees, district staff and her family and said she looked forward to “partnering with all of you to continue to move the district forward on its continued path of success.” Several staff members and parents spoke during public comment in favor of the appointment, pointing to Sortino’s work on programs including the district’s 18-to-21 program, the Aspire program, preschool expansion and the acquisition of a bus for Student Support Services. Kate DeSantis, supervisor of Student Support Services, said Sortino is “incredibly smart, forward thinking, and always puts the best interest of staff and students first.”
Outgoing Superintendent Dr. LaSouza addressed the board and audience, congratulated Sortino and said he would help with a transition so the district will be in “good hands.” The board did not specify further transitional steps or a formal transition timeline beyond the stated July 1 effective date.
