Bert Carter, head of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD) in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, will retire on June 30, concluding a 13-year tenure at the helm of the institution. His departure marks the end of a career spanning 45 years in the field of deaf education, during which he oversaw significant facility expansions and the strengthening of partnerships with local public school districts.
The Willie Ross board of trustees has initiated a search for a successor, with the transition process expected to conclude by the spring of 2027. Claire Sanders, the current board chair, confirmed the timeline and expressed the board’s appreciation for Carter’s leadership, noting that the school remains in a strong operational and financial position as it prepares for new leadership.
Leadership and Institutional Growth
Bert Carter joined the Willie Ross School for the Deaf in 2013, following a leadership role at the Austine School for the Deaf in Vermont. He succeeded former WRSD President and CEO Lou Abbate. Over the past 13 years, Carter’s administration prioritized both physical infrastructure and the integration of deaf education into the broader community. According to school officials, the institution successfully completed two capital fund drives during his tenure, which supported a more than $2 million renovation of the Longmeadow campus, specifically targeting the Sidney M. Cooley Administration Building.
A central component of Carter’s tenure was the expansion of the school’s outreach program, which serves public school districts. This program has more than doubled in size since 2013, facilitating what the board describes as a robust mainstreaming relationship with the East Longmeadow public school system. Additionally, under a partnership with Bay Path University, the school established early childhood education programming within renovated campus facilities, addressing a growing demand for specialized services for younger students.
Community Engagement and Diversity
Beyond physical infrastructure, Carter focused on deepening the school’s connection to the deaf community. Claire Sanders, who serves as board chair, credited Carter with prioritizing the inclusion of deaf voices in the school’s strategic planning. This effort included diversifying the board of trustees; notably, Carter worked with George Balsley II, the first deaf chair of the board, who served in that capacity until his passing in early 2025.
Reflecting on his career, Carter stated that his time at the Willie Ross School was the best job he has ever had. “After 45 years in the field of deaf education, I can say that I am eternally grateful for the deaf community allowing me to be in their world,” Carter said in a statement released by the school. He noted that his goal upon arriving at the school was to ensure that the institution was well-positioned for future success, a task he believes has been accomplished through the implementation of a strategic plan.
Background and Career Path
Carter’s career in deaf education began with an internship at the Boston School for the Deaf while he was completing graduate studies at Lesley College in Cambridge. His professional path included a significant tenure as the director of Deaf Services at the Connecticut-based organization Family Services Woodfield—now known as Lifebridge—where he expanded the department from one full-time employee to a staff of 90. He also pursued doctoral studies in deafness rehabilitation at New York University before moving into executive roles at the Austine School for the Deaf.
As Carter prepares to transition into retirement, he has expressed plans to spend more time with his family and to enjoy his beloved Cape Cod. The board of trustees has retained outside executive recruitment counsel to manage the search for the next leader. Interested parties and members of the community can monitor the school’s official website for future updates regarding the leadership transition and the school’s ongoing outreach initiatives.