A Boston public school administrator was appointed chief academic officer of the Baltimore City schools, taking the place of Mary Minter, who is retiring after 40 years in the system.

Sonja Brookins Santelises, who starts on March 16, is currently the assistant superintendent for pilot schools, a network of 23 charter like schools.

She is a graduate of the Urban Superintendents doctoral program at Harvard University, the program that Baltimore schools CEO Andres Alonso completed.

Santelises, who graduated from Brown University in 1989, also worked for an education company, Focus on Results, and was executive director of the New York City Algebra Project, a national non-profit with a branch in Baltimore that works to empower students to improve the education in their communities.

Minter's retirement was announced on Tuesday at the same time as the appointment of Santelises. A former teacher, principal, and area academic officer, Minter has had a nearly 40 year career in the school district. She served as one of four Maryland Distinguished Principals, providing training to other principals and serving as a mentor for new principals.