Kevin Skelly retired as superintendent of the San Mateo Union High School District in June, 2022 after serving in that role for seven years. Prior to that, he was superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District, a post he held from July, 2007 to June, 2014. He came to Palo Alto after serving as an associate superintendent of Learning Support Services for the Poway Unified School District, a district of 35,000 students in San Diego County. Prior to Poway, Skelly served eleven years as the principal of Saratoga High School in Saratoga, CA.
Skelly’s background includes work with budgeting, benefits, compensation, policy, curriculum and instruction, standards and assessment, special education, and staff development. He has been a presenter, author, coach, and Big Brother. His passion for education and children began with his work after college with talented students from low-income neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., and shoe-shine boys in Quito, Ecuador.
Skelly received his BA in Economics from Harvard and his Ph.D. in Education Management and Policy from UC, Berkeley. He and his wife Carrie have four grown children and four grandchildren.
Testimonial
Dr. Kevin Skelly stepped in as Interim Superintendent on my behalf as I needed to step away for a medical leave. His leadership was exactly what was needed in my absence. Dr. Skelly has a unique set of skills and experiences combined with a heart for students and the ability to connect with staff and other stakeholders.Dr. Kevin Skelly has provided mentorship to me personally and professionally. As a fairly new superintendent, I find it very helpful to have someone with his skill set and experiences that can offer advice, pose thought-provoking questions and be a thought partner through a wide range of scenarios.
-California Superintendent
-Michelle Stephens, Superintendent/Principal