The Salem Keizer Education Foundation Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of Kelly Carlisle as the new executive director.
“We were impressed with the caliber of the candidates, but it was very clear from the first meeting that Kelly has the leadership skills and vision to take SKEF to the next level,” Jeff Aeschliman SKEF Board President said. “His deep knowledge of the Salem-Keizer School District is also a huge asset.”
Carlisle served as a district administrator in Salem-Keizer for 10 years until his retirement in 2018. As the assistant superintendent, he supervised K-12 education and student services, taking part in several efforts to promote educational equity, increase career and college readiness and maintain positive school and community relations.
In his earlier post as director of high schools, he worked with principals to improve equitable student participation in advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses, access to college credit for high schoolers and to increase the graduation rate and re-engagement of students who had dropped out.
During the past year since his retirement from the district, Carlisle has been the director of administrative licensure programs at George Fox University in the College of Education.
Carlisle graduated from South Salem High School in 1978. He recalls the performing arts programs at South Salem, which ultimately shaped his own professional path. He taught high school choral music for 17 years before becoming a principal. As a teacher and as an administrator, Carlisle has worked to create environments in which people find their voice, their contribution and their leadership. Carlisle and his wife, Nancy, have three grown kids, one daughter-in-law and one grandson.
Carlisle will begin on Monday, Aug. 19.