Deputy superintendent appointed to fill San Mateo County Board of Education vacancy

"Working with you has been incredible," Board President Hugo Torres said at the meeting. "I don't know what we would have done without you stepping in."

Magee, who has served nearly eight years as superintendent at the San Mateo County Office of Education, announced she would be retiring this month. She has been battling an illness, Deputy County Attorney Lisa Cho said at the meeting. Thursday is her last day.

Chavez has already taken on some of the responsibilities of superintendent.

In September 2025, Chavez was chosen to serve as deputy county superintendent of schools as a backup to assume decision making in case Magee was absent as a result of her illness.

"This was put in as a safety measure to ensure that the operations of the SMCOE would carry on without any interruption or delay due to illness," Cho said.

Chavez will serve the remaining 10 months left in Magee's term until a newly elected superintendent starts in January 2027.

"We are very fortunate to have Marco Chavez in place and ready to assume this," Board Trustee Patricia Love said.

Two contenders are vying for the superintendent position after Chavez completes Magee's term — Board Trustee Chelsea Bonini and SMCOE Executive Director Hector Camacho. They will go head-to-head in the June election.