San Mateo County Board of Education Appoints Marco Chávez as County Superintendent of Schools
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The San Mateo County Board of Education has named Deputy Superintendent Marco Chávez as San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools following the retirement of Nancy Magee. Magee announced her retirement effective February 19, 2026. In San Mateo County, the County Superintendent of Schools is an elected position, however, in the event of a vacancy, the County Board of Education has the authority to appoint someone to fill the vacancy. At its February 18th meeting, the Board selected Chávez to serve the remainder of Magee’s term, which ends in January, 2027.
The County Superintendent of Schools serves as a critical link between the California Department of Education and local school districts, providing support to all 23 school districts in San Mateo County. The Superintendent also serves as a strong partner to the board, working collaboratively towards a shared set of outcomes. The Superintendent oversees the San Mateo County Office of Education, which reviews and approves the budget of every school district in the county, monitors school district compliance with state and federal laws, and reviews each district’s Local Control Accountability Plan.
The Superintendent is responsible for the county’s Court and Community Schools, special education programs serving students from birth through age 22, and serves as an advocate and champion for public education at the state level.
“I am incredibly honored to serve in this role to ensure we continue to do what’s best for the students and families of San Mateo County,” said Chávez. “I want to thank the board for this opportunity, and thank Superintendent Magee for her many years of strong leadership and dedicated service to our community.”
Chávez rejoined the San Mateo County Office of Education in 2021 as the Deputy Superintendent, Educational Services Division, after previously serving in a variety of roles within the office from 2013 to 2018. From 2018 to 2021, he worked as a principal in the Campbell Union Elementary School District, successfully leading Dual Language Immersion program reform. While working at the County Office, he also served a term as a Ravenswood City School District trustee from 2012 to 2016.
Prior to joining the County Office, Chávez served as an instructional aide, teacher, school principal, and Director of Categorical/Multilingual Services in the Ravenswood City School District. He also served as an English Instructor at the University of Colima in Mexico.
Chávez holds a Master’s degree from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame de Namur University.
"Marco is a highly experienced and very thoughtful leader who knows the County Office and the issues facing our local school districts," said Hugo Torres, President of the San Mateo County Board of Education. "Working with Marco has been incredible, and I appreciate everything he has done to keep the work moving forward. I have complete confidence in his ability to manage the County Office through a year of transition."