Ross Valley School District trustee steps down
Jun. 7—Ross Valley School District trustee Ryan O'Neil has resigned from the board, saying he needs "more time, energy and focus to bring life back into balance."
O'Neil, a real estate agent and a former candidate for Marin County supervisor, has been a trustee since 2018.
"It is with sadness and respect for the Ross Valley School District that I will need to resign my position as trustee," O'Neil said in a letter to John Carroll, the Marin County schools superintendent. "My family and work needs have taken a deep sacrifice over the past few years."
Tyler Graff, the superintendent of the Ross Valley district, said O'Neil "contributed significantly to the work of the board" during his tenure.
"His clear communication, steady leadership and strong connections within the community have made a lasting impact," Graff said in a letter to the school community on Friday. "His commitment to student-centered decision-making and thoughtful governance helped strengthen the collaborative work of the board. He will be deeply missed."
The Ross Valley board voted unanimously on Wednesday to fill O'Neil's seat by provisional appointment for the balance of his term, which runs through November 2026.
O'Neil, 54, a resident of San Anselmo, said in the letter that he is "proud of the work we have accomplished and the goals we have achieved since my first term many years ago."
O'Neil's time on the board overlapped with a series of high-profile and contentious events, including the conflicts with and relocation of Ross Valley Charter school in 2019 and the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, O'Neil helped navigate the acrimonious dispute over the fate of the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children's Center in Fairfax. He was credited with working with nonprofit founder Andrew Giacomini to help facilitate the sale of the district-owned property to the center's operators in 2024.
The struggles involving the charter school, the pandemic and the children's center "have nothing to do with Ross Valley schools," O'Neil said.
"They were just things that came at us that we had to spend an exorbitant amount of time on, and still were able to deliver an amazing an educational package for students and families of the Ross Valley," he said.
In March 2024, O'Neil ran in a crowded race for the District 2 seat on the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Brian Colbert, a former member of the San Anselmo Town Council, won the seat.
Prior to his nearly two terms as a Ross Valley trustee, O'Neil, who previously lived in Fairfax, was a Fairfax council member and a founding member of the Fairfax Open Space Committee.
"It has been an honor to serve alongside Ryan O'Neil," said Rachel Litwack, president of the Ross Valley School District board. "His deep commitment and dedication to our students, staff and community has left a lasting impact. While I am sad to see him step down, I am deeply grateful for his leadership, contributions and the unique perspective he brought to the board."
The district will accept applications for the seat through 4 p.m. June 18. The board will interview candidates in open session at 6 p.m. June 25.
Applications are available at the district office at 100 Shaw Drive in San Anselmo. More information is available by contacting Teresa Machado at 415-451-4060 or tmachado@rossvalleyschools.org .
© 2025 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.). Visit www.marinij.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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