Kelly Barrera brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in education and business management to the St. Johns County School Board. She plays a strategic role in guiding the top-rated school district in Florida, overseeing more than 46,000 students and a $425.8 million operating budget. During her tenure, Barrera has addressed concerns about school overcrowding, with the opening of five new K-8 schools, one new high school, one new elementary school, along with the expansion of Crookshank, Mill Creek, Liberty Pines, Nease and a current high school under construction.

Barrera also advocated for a testing task force to reduce testing, increased Exceptional Student Education and guidance programs, and played a leading role in plans to strengthen school security. She has increased opportunities for parental and community involvement including: Superintendent selection committee, Citizen’s Sales Tax Advisory committee, Strategic Plan committee, Testing Task Force and dozens of town hall/community meetings held across the district.

Kelly is committed to providing all of our students with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to enter higher education or directly move into the workforce.

As a lifelong learner, she completed her master’s degree, has earned the Florida School Board Association’s Certified Board Member designation and Master Board Certification, and serves on the Schultz’s Center of Teaching and Learning, along with years of experience serving in advisory boards for our schools and in post-secondary education. In addition, Kelly holds a private pilot’s license and FAA unmanned aircraft part 107 certification.

A Ponte Vedra Beach resident, Barrera is a graduate of Jacksonville University, where she was the first female graduate of the aviation program and Embry-Riddle where she earned her Master’s Degree. She and her husband, Gil Barrera, are the parents of two adult children and two Rotary Youth Exchange students.