 In 1988, he was recruited to serve as Superintendent of the East Side Union High School District in San Jose, and served in that position for the next 14 years.In recognition of his contributions as superintendent of East Side Union High School District, the Association of California School Administrators named him the 2003 Superintendent of the Year.As Superintendent in San Jose, Coto supported Senate Bill 1051, an $80 million increase in funding promoting diversity in San Jose's school system.