Renato Lajara, who is from the Dominican Republic and a current Philadelphia schools administrator, has been named superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District, pending board approval. He will be the first Latino superintendent to oversee the district, where almost half of its students are Hispanic, according to district officials.
Lajara is assistant superintendent for Network 8 in the School District of Philadelphia, where he oversees more than 8,000 students at 15 schools, a BASD news release said.
“In this role, he has led strategic initiatives focused on academic achievement, equity, and organizational coherence, while collaborating closely with district leadership to implement a comprehensive five-year strategic plan,” the news release said. “A proud product of the Philadelphia public school system and originally from the Dominican Republic, Dr. Lajara’s personal journey as an English language learner informs his deep commitment to ensuring all students, regardless of background, have access to a high-quality education.”
BASD School Board President Michael Faccinetto called Lajara a “visionary, student-centered leader with a deep commitment to equity and excellence.”
“Throughout the search process, it was clear that his experience transforming school communities, supporting educators, and delivering results for students sets him apart. We are confident that under his leadership, the Bethlehem Area School District will continue to grow and thrive,” Faccinetto said in the news release.
Lajara said in the news release that it is “an incredible privilege to have been chosen to lead the Bethlehem Area School District, a community renowned for its cultural vibrancy, rich educational traditions, and deep-rooted pride.” With approximately 12,500 students, BASD is the sixth-largest district in the state; more than 46% of its student body is Hispanic and 8.5% are English learners, according to district documents.
“A school district thrives when it operates as a true partnership,” Lajara said. “Together, we will build upon Bethlehem’s solid foundation. I am excited to get started and to be a part of the Bethlehem community. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Board of Directors for this opportunity.”
Lajara has been a principal and district leader, with a focus on school turnaround efforts, standards-based instructional systems, expanded access to inclusive programming, and professional learning for educators, the news release said.
Lajara holds a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s in educational leadership, both from Gwynedd Mercy University, and a bachelor’s in elementary education, the news release said.
BASD Superintendent Jack Silva will retire on June 30, and the district plans to share additional transition details in the coming weeks.