Los Banos superintendent to resign, take county position

Superintendent Steve Tietjen started tearing up while thanking the Los Banos Unified School District staff Thursday night during a statement in which he announced his intent to resign.

“When you’ve worked hard for nine years with a really strong district team, you’re going to miss that,” Tietjen said.

The Merced County Office of Education voted 3-2 to approve Tietjen as Superintendent Steven Gomes’ successor. Tietjen will complete the last two years of Gomes’ term in the elected position.

Tietjen said his initial position of deputy superintendent of the Merced County Office of Education will begin on July 1, so his resignation will be effective June 30.

In the statement Tietjen read to the school board, he notes that he oversaw passage of a school bond and the building of Pacheco High School, Mercey Springs Elementary School and the under-construction Creekside Junior High School.

“I also believe we built superior facilities for the community that will serve Los Banos for many decades to come,” he said.

But the most important work, Tietjen said, was supporting students in pursuit of excellence and success after graduation.

“Our teachers, counselors, administrators and support staff are clearly focused on the goal of making sure that all students have access to a quality curriculum and are expected to perform to their best ability,” Tietjen said.

Tietjen said he will remain in Merced County, and he thanked the Los Banos community and school district employees for welcoming his family.

School board members thanked Tietjen for his service to the school district.

“I wish you well, and go get ’em,” board member John Mueller said.

Board member Dennis Areias congratulated Tietjen and said the school district will still have the benefit of seeing the departing superintendent at the county level.

“You’re only going to the county,” board Chairman Anthony Parreira said. “I mean, you’ve still got to approve our budget.”

One longtime resident also congratulated Tietjen at the meeting.

“It’s definitely Merced County’s gain and the Los Banos school district’s loss,” resident David Silva said.

Also Thursday, the school board approved a new three-year salary schedule for unrepresented employees, who include permit teachers, administrators, directors, supervisors and confidential employees.

The employee group is set to receive a 1 percent increase for the 2015-16 school year, retroactive to July 1 last year.

For the 2016-17 school year, the group will receive a 6 percent increase. And in 2017-18, it will receive a 3 percent increase.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Los Banos superintendent to resign, take county position."