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Former San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee has died at 66, county officials announced April 27.
Current San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Marco Chávez said in an email that Magee died peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones.
“Nancy’s passing is a great loss for our office and for our community. She provided many years of strong leadership and dedicated service to the children and families of San Mateo County, and she will be greatly missed,” Chávez said in a statement to this news organization.
Magee was first elected in 2018 and led the San Mateo County Office of Education for eight years. She announced in April 2025 that she would not seek reelection and retired in February, 11 months before her term was set to end. No reason was given for her early departure.
The County Office of Education supports 23 school districts. The superintendent reviews district budgets and monitors compliance with state and federal laws.
Prior to taking the elected position, Magee spent more than 20 years in the classroom and 11 years in district and county leadership roles.
She led the county office of education through the COVID-19 pandemic and advanced numerous initiatives. For her work during the pandemic, Magee received the Pillar of the County award from the San Mateo County School Boards Association and was named Superintendent of the Year for San Mateo and San Francisco counties by the Association of California School Administrators.
During her tenure, Magee launched an “extraordinary audit” of the Las Lomitas Elementary School District following parent concerns and an Almanac investigation into district credit card use.
In his message, Chávez—who was appointed by the county Board of Education to serve until a new superintendent is elected—expressed gratitude for Magee’s leadership and service, saying she will remain in the hearts of those who worked with her.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former San Mateo County Superintendent Nancy Magee, a dedicated public servant whose leadership left a lasting mark on our local education community,” Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-San Mateo) said in a press release. “Nancy led our schools through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with remarkable steadiness, compassion and resolve, always keeping the needs of students, families and educators at the center of every decision.”
Under Magee’s leadership, the San Mateo County Office of Education was named Office of the Year for medium-sized counties by California County Superintendents in 2025. The award cited her work in behavioral health, environmental literacy and school safety.
Following her resignation, the county Board of Supervisors proclaimed March 10 as “Nancy Magee Day” and commended her for her steadfast, forward-looking leadership.
Two candidates, Chelsea Bonini and Héctor Camacho, are running for county superintendent in the June primary election.
County officials did not provide information about the cause of death. Magee is survived by her two children, Travis and Noah, and two granddaughters.
