Merced, CA (November 7, 2025) — Dr. Steve M. Tietjen, the 29th Merced County Superintendent of Schools, has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026 and will retire at the end of his current term in December 2026. According to the Merced County Office of Education (MCOE), Tietjen has served as County Superintendent since December 2016.
Tietjen began his career in education in 1980 as a history teacher and has been an educator for more than 45 years. Before joining MCOE, he served 13 years as superintendent of the Woodlake Unified School District in Tulare County and nine years as superintendent of the Los Banos Unified School District. By the end of his term, he will have served as a superintendent for more than 32 years.
Under his leadership, MCOE coordinated countywide efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded the Virginia Smith Trust scholarship program to award more than $500,000 annually to Merced County students, and acquired two downtown Merced buildings, the historic Bank of Italy “Mondo Building” and the Thorington Building, to expand services for families, mental-health support, and employment programs.
MCOE also established improvement networks focused on chronic absenteeism, special education, and English-language learner achievement. Tietjen described the COVID-19 health crisis and school closures as the most challenging period of his tenure and praised educators and families for their dedication and resilience.
Tietjen will continue to serve through the end of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition for the next County Superintendent of Schools.
