During the night of March 7, the Salem-Keizer School Board named Andrea Castañeda as the next superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools upon the retirement of current superintendent Christy Perry. 

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Castañeda, who has served in education for more than 20 years, comes to Salem-Keizer after serving as Tulsa Public Schools’ Chief Talent and Equity Officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education studies, history, and policy from Brown University and a master’s degree in education policy and management from Harvard University. 

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“With experience leading at the state and district levels, Castañeda has a track record of success and a reputation for leading with humility and heart,” Superintendent Christy Perry said in an email out to Salem-Keizer Families, “In addition, she has a wealth of practical experience leading most departments of mid-sized and large public education systems, including finance, career and technical education, teaching and learning, and operations.” 

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“Public schools are our most important institutions, and the joyful and challenging and important work of leading it is – it’s a privilege to spend a lifetime doing it, and it will be a privilege to spend the 24 hours in my days and seven days in my weeks doing it in Salem-Keizer with all of you,” Castañeda said. 

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Castañeda will officially begin her job as superintendent beginning on July 1, 2023.

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