The school's principal, Dr. Kevin Skelly, is leaving the place he's come to love and call his home away from home for the past 11 years. The news came as a complete shock to administrators and teachers on June 22 in the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District.

District Superintendent Dr. Cindy Ranii announced Skelly has accepted an appointment as the associate superintendent for the Poway Unified School District, in Southern California's north San Diego County. The district has more than 30,000 students.

"This move is so bittersweet," said Skelly. "When I was first encouraged to apply for this position in March, I hardly considered it. I saw myself as the Saratoga High School principal until I retired. I love this school and the people here so much."

Skelly's last official day with the district is Aug. 5. An interim principal will be appointed as soon as possible, and the district staff will conduct a search process to select a permanent replacement.

During his tenure, Saratoga High's campus population has grown from 905 students to an anticipated 1,325 students this coming fall. Under Skelly's stewardship, Saratoga High—nationally recognized for excellence and a California distinguished high school—has risen to become rated as the No. 1 comprehensive high school in California, as measured by the California Academic Performance Index.

"He has become Mr. Toga," said Saratoga High Assistant Principal and academic adviser Brian Safine. "This is his school, and it feels like it has been his school. You can see Kevin at a vast majority of sporting events, musical, drama, all the extracurriculars that work in support of students. It feels like his place, and he takes a tremendous amount of pride in his school."

Reports from the California Department of Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges consistently commend the students' achievement at Saratoga High, as well as the community and faculty for being dedicated to the young scholars. More than 97 percent of Saratoga High graduates enroll in college, and 8 percent of the senior-class students were recognized as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Skelly has contributed extensive efforts to lead successful building and modernization programs on the campus. His leadership with booster groups and the Saratoga High School Foundation have played a major role in additional improvements not included in the 1998 bond measure.

In Skelly's new position, he'll be responsible for learning-support services, which includes staff development, gifted and talented programs, alternative programs, assessment, student support, special education, English-language learning programs and technology.

Skelly received his master and doctoral degrees in education policy from UC-Berkeley after earning his bachelor's degree at Harvard University in economics. Skelly, his wife, Carrie, and their four children will be relocating to the Poway district in time to enroll for the upcoming school year.

"I'm extremely proud of Kevin for taking on this new challenge and happy for him and his family that such a rare opportunity became available," said Ranii. "We will miss Kevin and his considerable talents. His dedication to Saratoga High School is enormously appreciated."

Even though he's leaving, Skelly said he'll always remain a Falcon.