Superintendent's Bio
Dr. A. Katrise Perera has served as Superintendent of Schools for Lancaster Independent School District since June 2021, fostering strong partnerships with stakeholders. Her commitment to engagement has created a swift, positive impact on students, staff, and the entire Lancaster ISD community.
With more than 30 years of dedicated service to K-12 education, she has a wealth of experience in leadership. Before joining Lancaster ISD, she served as superintendent in Oregon (2017-2021) and Virginia (2011-2015). Her career also includes a role as the National Director for Urban Markets with a national publishing company (2015-2017). Additionally, she held the position of school improvement area superintendent in the Houston Independent School District (2010-2011) and served in various capacities—including teacher, principal, and district-level administrator—within Henrico County Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia (2000-2010). Her journey in education began in 1994 as a teacher in Charlottesville City Public Schools, Virginia.
A passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, access, capacity building, and opportunities for all students, Dr. Perera earned her doctorate in education leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 2014. She completed the National Superintendent Certification Program through the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in 2016. Her dedication to educational equity has earned her multiple accolades, including the 2024 Open Up Resources Excellence in Equity Leadership Award for her work in advancing equity for all students. In 2020, she was recognized as the ALLY of the Year by the Oregon Association of Latino Administrators (OALA), and in 2015, she was named Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS).
In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Perera is an active member of state and national professional organizations, where she serves as an advisor and committee member. She shares her expertise widely, serving as a mentor, learning facilitator, thought leader, and frequent presenter at state and national conferences. Her contributions to education include several publications in professional books and articles for educational magazines.
Dr. Perera is the proud mother of twins and has been married to her college sweetheart, Rajiv Perera, for 31 years.
