New Radnor Superintendent ‘Excited and Optimistic’

Radnor School District’s new superintendent could not have come from a closer place.

Dr. Michael J. Kelly, who was appointed to the position on Tuesday night, comes from Lower Merion School District, where he is assistant superintendent.

He will officially start on the job August 26, but in the meanwhile is focused on getting to know the Radnor community and “understand what the Radnor community is all about,” he told Radnor Patch the day after his appointment.

Although the neighboring districts have a lot in common, “I’m very cautious to draw conclusions about how they are similar and different,” he said. “Finding out how they’re similar and different is part of the initial learning experience.”

Kelly, who also holds a law degree, has 25 years of experience in public education, including 14 years at Lower Merion, according to Radnor School District.

As with any new leader, Kelly said the expectation is for him to “move the organization forward.”

Specifically, he said he will be looking at the district’s current policies, procedure and strategic plan, how they were developed and how the input was solicited that has driven the district’s decision making.

The district’s strategic plan development phase is coming up this year, which is good timing, Kelly said.

“There are a lot of challenges any school leader will face, but as a new school leader I need to find out where all the other talents and sources and history lie so I can capitalize on that,” he said.

Kelly said it’s “critically important” to have a “good, professional working relationship” with everyone in the district, from teachers to support staff and administrators.

“We looked high and low, far and wide, and in the end, our new superintendent turned out to be just a few short miles away. Dr. Kelly’s impressive accomplishments at Lower Merion are tailor-made for Radnor – a match between his fine leadership experience and Radnor’s needs,” School Board President Eric Zajac said of Kelly.

Kelly is a native of Drexel Hill and currently lives there. He said there was no discussion with the school board about him moving to Radnor.

“I’m incredibly excited and optimistic,” Kelly told Radnor Patch. “The people I’ve met so far have been wonderful. The reputation is outstanding. I’m very excited to be chosen as the next superintendent.”