Marin County 28-Year Superintendent Praises Pandemic Leadership as She Leaves Office

When Mary Jane Burke, who served as Marin County school principal for 28 years, resigned this week, she was commended for her work keeping schools functioning, especially during the pandemic, the Marin Independent Journal reported.

“Mary Jane Burke is the MVP in Marin’s pandemic response,” Dr. Matt Willis, the county’s public health officer, told The Independent Journal. I didn’t want a partner,” he said.

“Together, we were able to reopen schools quickly after lockdown and do so safely,” he said.

Burke, 70, was first elected in 1995. Deputy Superintendent Ken Lippi told the paper Burke’s partnership with public health officials during the pandemic is an extension of Burke’s relationships and collaborations throughout his seven terms in office. said.

“Because of that leadership, Marin’s school is one of the first, public or private, to open in our state,” he said. “This was very important as we learned more about the very significant impact social isolation and learning loss has on children during the pandemic.”