Maybe he’ll turn New York’s schools into a Magic Kingdom.
Schools chancellor Richard Carranza has hired a longtime Walt Disney World executive as the Dept. of Education’s first-ever “chief experience officer,” the Post has learned.
“It is a new role based on the need to improve DOE customer service,” a department spokesman said.
Mario Trujillo, who moved to the city from Florida, will “provide customer-service expertise and training” officials said. His salary: $142,000.
Trujillo, 45, has held various jobs for Walt Disney World since 2008, most recently as communications manager for Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney.
He previously was communications manager for Disney Parks & Resorts, and an entertainment manager for Disney theme parks.
Also for Disney, he performed for 10 years as lead violinist and vocalist with the Mariachi Cobre band. Carranza also sings and plays guitar with mariachi groups.
“They did not meet playing mariachi, but have played mariachi together,” spokesman Will Mantell said, adding that Carranza knew Trujillo in Tucson, where the chancellor began his career.
The trendy chief experience officer title is typically used by companies seeking to ensure customer satisfaction.
Mantell said the DOE advertised the job opening on its own website and 14 other job boards between Nov. 18, 2018 and Dec. 5, 2018. He said 106 people applied.
Since starting in February, Trujillo has worked to “revamp customer-experience training” for food and facilities workers, improve personnel services for DOE employees, and “streamline information delivery” for families, Mantell said.
“Mario is transforming the culture of customer service at DOE.” he said.
Still, the new position puzzled some longtime educators.
“I am not averse to hires from the private sector, but [Trujillo’s Disney] job history does not equate to anything I’m familiar with in education,” said Eric Nadelstern, a retired Columbia University professor and DOE deputy chancellor under Mayor Bloomberg.
“The DOE is not in the entertainment business,” said veteran teacher Peter Goodman. “The system should be producing kids who can read, write and do math.”