It is our pleasure to introduce and welcome Ms. Kelly Kriss as the new principal at Mill Valley Middle School, pending Board approval on June 5, 2025. 

She will officially join our school community on July 1, 2025. Ms. Kriss comes to us with nearly a decade of leadership experience in both middle and high school settings. She currently serves as Principal of Adele Harrison Middle School and has previously led Petaluma Junior High School. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to student growth and educational excellence. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, Ms. Kriss was honored as the 2024–2025 ACSA Middle Grades Principal of the Year for Region 4.

When asked about her new role, Ms. Kriss shared, “I love working with middle school students and am thrilled to join a school and district that offer such dynamic opportunities for student learning. I look forward to learning and growing alongside students, staff, and families.”

Ms. Kriss’s deep understanding of adolescent development, her wide-ranging teaching experience, and her proven leadership make her an exceptional addition to our team. We are confident she will provide both stability and fresh energy to Mill Valley Middle School.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Ms. Kelly Kriss to the Mill Valley School District on June 5, 2025, as she prepares to lead Mill Valley Middle School into the 2025–2026 school year and beyond. Ms. Kriss will meet with staff, students, the Board of Trustees, and members of the administrative team on campus and a community reception will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Mill Valley Middle School, providing parents and community members an opportunity to meet and introduce themselves.

It is with great pleasure that we introduce and welcome Mr. David Finnane as the new Interim Principal of Park Elementary School, pending Board approval on June 5, 2025. He will officially join our school community on July 1, 2025.

Mr. Finnane brings with him over 24 years of experience as a principal across a wide range of school settings, including both elementary and middle schools. Most recently, he served as the principal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy in the Sausalito Marin City School District. Throughout his career, Mr. Finnane has remained deeply committed to fostering inclusive, supportive learning environments where every child can thrive, every voice is valued, and every family feels welcomed.

A passionate advocate for educators, Mr. Finnane believes that teachers and staff are the heart of every school and play an essential role in creating daily moments of growth and joy for students.

Outside of his professional life, Mr. Finnane and his wife are the proud parents of four children. As both an educator and a parent, he understands the vital importance of strong school-family partnerships and is eager to build meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff here at Park.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Mr. Finnane to the Mill Valley School District on June 9, 2025, as he prepares to lead Park Elementary into the 2025–2026 school year. He will meet with staff, the Board of Trustees, and members of the administrative team after school.

We look forward to an exciting year ahead under Mr. Finnane’s leadership.