The Palo Alto school board confirmed the appointments of Superintendent Kevin Skelly and Assistant Superintendent, Scott Laurence at the Tuesday night school board meeting.
Skelly was announced as a finalist at last week’s meeting, and on May 7, the school board and other community members went on a validation visit to Poway school district to confirm their decision.
“Dr. Skelly’s qualities came out throughout the day,” board President Camille Townsend said of the validation visit. “[He has] a quick mind, he’s a really smart guy who gets to the issues. He doesn’t always agree with you but he hears you thorough. We liked everything we heard.”
Board member Mandy Lowell was equally enthusiastic.
“I think its going to be a terrific fit,” she said. “He matches our [the district’s] ideas of giving the best academic and whole child fit.”
“It was a wonderful opportunity for as many people as possible to meet Kevin and the people he worked with.” Susan Bailey, one of the community members who went on the validation visit, said. “He is well respected and well liked. I have every confidence he will do a great job in Palo Alto.”
Skelly’s enthusiasm matches that of the board’s.
“It’s the fulfillment of my career and I hope I can live up to the confidence the board has placed in me,” Skelly told the board. “I will have an investment [in the district] that goes beyond being superintendent. I want to be involved in what makes this a great community. This is a great opportunity, and I appreciate the board’s confidence and I hope to make a great district even better.”
The board at Tuesday’s meeting also confirmed Paly principal Scott Laurence, who was appointed as assistant Superintendent in March.
“Hopefully, I will live up to expectations and do great things for the district,” Laurence said upon his confirmation.
Both appointments were confirmed unanimously by the board.