Merced County Superintendent Steven Gomes announces early retirement

Steven Gomes, superintendent of schools for the Merced County Office of Education, will retire at the end of the calendar year, leaving his post as the county’s top education official two years before the end of his term.

Gomes made the announcement Tuesday during a meeting of the county Board of Education.

The 65-year-old elected administrator said he decided to retire so he could care for his father and spend time with his two young grandchildren, according to a statement from MCOE.

“I love this job, and I love what I’m doing here,” Gomes said during the meeting.

Gomes, first elected in June 2010, said he spoke individually with board members before making the formal announcement Tuesday.

He intends to present a transition plan to the board during the March meeting. The board also can choose to hold a special election to seek a candidate to complete his second term, which expires in 2018.

The announcement comes about a week before Gomes’ annual Report on Schools, scheduled for Feb. 25.

County officials credited Gomes with helping districts navigate through the Great Recession, making the renovations and updating of the Camp Green Meadows facility a priority. He also established the Report on Our Schools event and publication to inform the public of the positive aspects of K-12 education. He also was instrumental in bringing about the Summer Performing Arts program and providing major support for the Children’s Opera and Children’s Symphony.

Gomes’ salary is $175,285.

In his 44-year educational career, Gomes taught for 24 years with the Merced Union High School District, was a vice principal at Golden Valley High School for five years, the principal at Hilmar High School for five years and superintendent of the Planada School District for just under five years.

Gomes earned his doctorate in education in June 2011 from California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock. His dissertation focused on the relationship between school boards, their superintendents and student achievement. He earned a master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, in vocational education.

Gomes has been a lifelong resident of Merced County. He grew up on the family dairy in Gustine and attended Merced College and Fresno State, earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Merced County Superintendent Steven Gomes announces early retirement."