Sequoia superintendent announces retirement

Gemma, 60, considered leaving previously but felt the district was in a stable place now for him to take on new challenges.

"It has been a privilege to have served the Sequoia district and the community for the past seven years,” he said. "Our schools are such valuable community resources, and the Sequoia district is fortunate to have an engaged and supportive community.”

Gemma leaves after seven and a half years with the district. On Wednesday, the Board of Trustees will begin discussing plans for finding a new superintendent.

"Dr. Gemma has been an outstanding superintendent and we are very sad to see him go,” said board President Olivia Martinez in a prepared statement. "The district has achieved some significant milestones under his leadership. During his tenure, the district passed two additional bond measures, which has allowed us to offer students some of the best facilities and technology anywhere. In addition, the district has recruited and retained outstanding leaders and some of the best faculty and professional support staff in the state.”

Gemma joined the district in February 2003 after five years in the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District.

He didn’t grow up with his mind set on education. Gemma was born in Santa Rosa and moved at about 5 to the San Fernando Valley for his father’s job in television.

Gemma attended St. Mary’s College of California for psychology in the ’60s. After a stint in the U.S. Army reserves, he returned to his personal educational pursuits with thoughts of being a child psychologist or a school principal.

Education ended up being his route in life. Gemma taught special education and became an administrator when in his late 20s. He worked in various positions at East Bay school districts. When in Martinez, Gemma served as a middle school then high school principal, a position he held for 10 years. Gemma also worked as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and personnel in the Piedmont Unified School District, then spent five years as the superintendent of the Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District before leading the Sequoia Union High School District.

Looking back at his career with Sequoia, Gemma was most proud at the continued success of the schools like bringing in new career programs, for his relationships with the unions and the support from the community. It will be the people — employees, students, residents, anyone in the community the job has afforded Gemma to meet — that he will miss the most.

Gemma, who lives in Belmont, joked that he is practically married, having spent 12 years with Marie. He has two daughters, Jennifer and Nicole.

The possibilities for his newfound free time seem endless. Gemma could travel, take advantage of his background in landscaping, volunteer, work with an elected official or help with education consulting. Which route he will choose is still unknown. But the planning begins July 1.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.