Santa Clara Unified Selects New Superintendent

SAN JOSE, CA — After a search that included candidates from throughout the United States, the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees appointed Stella M. Kemp as the new superintendent of the district.

Kemp, who currently serves as the superintendent of the San Bruno Park School District, comes to the district with over 30 years of experience in public education, including stints in Texas, Germany and other areas of California.

“I'm excited to join the Santa Clara Unified family, meet everyone and do my part to continue the upward momentum of the district. I know that high-quality educational programs that prepare our students with the competencies and skills for an ever-changing world and workplace are a priority for the district," Kemp said. "As the new superintendent, I call on you to engage with me in these partnerships to create a common vision for our students.”

Kemp supports being a good steward of the public trust and school funds.

“We are grateful that the district is in a place to attract a candidate of Dr. Kemp’s caliber to continue our work in building a world-class school district. We heard clearly from the community that they wanted the new superintendent to be a dynamic educational leader who has experience setting and implementing a vision for schools and who puts students first," board President Michele Ryan said.

The recruitment was prompted when the current superintendent, Stan Rose, announced his planned retirement for the end of the school year.

“I have been honored to serve Santa Clara Unified’s students and families alongside some of the best educational leaders out there. Our community, the students we serve, and their needs are diverse. Our students are inspirational," said Superintendent Stan Rose, whose last day is the day before after 46 years working in education. To his six years with the district, he added: "We have achieved great things together as a community."

Rose whole-heartedly welcomed Kemp, who will become the superintendent of the district on July 1.

The Santa Clara Unified School District serves neighborhoods in the cities of Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Cupertino comprise the district's 56 square-mile area.