SPJUSD Board Recognizes James Berardi Following Retirement

DOWNIEVILLE — The Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District board adopted Resolution No. 26-015D on April 28 to honor James Berardi for his outstanding service upon retirement. Colleagues and board members offered personal tributes during the gathering.

Berardi was born and raised in Downieville. He attended Downieville High School, where he earned a spot on the Principal’s List, mentored classmates in science, competed in basketball and the Turkey Bowl, and served four years in student government. He spent his senior year abroad as an AFS International Scholar in Australia. After high school, Berardi joined the U.S. Merchant Marines to travel the world and later worked as an underwater welder before entering education.

Berardi started his teaching career at Lindhurst High School. He then returned to Sierra County as a teaching principal at both Pliocene Ridge and Downieville Schools. He later served as principal and superintendent of the Twin Ridges Elementary School District. Berardi returned to SPJUSD once more to work as principal, teacher, and superintendent while also holding the elected position of Sierra County superintendent of schools. In 2023, he resigned from the SPJUSD superintendent role effective June 30 after contract negotiations reached an impasse; he cited the strain of dual leadership and accepted a lower-paying position as principal-teacher at Downieville Schools while continuing as county superintendent. He retired fully earlier this year.

The resolution recounts Berardi’s deep ties to the small communities of SPJUSD. It praises his ability to think creatively, his support of students through the COVID-19 pandemic with an outdoor graduation that maintained distancing, and his participation in local events such as the Downieville School Halloween Carnival and the Holiday on Main fundraiser. It commends his energy, wisdom, compassion, humor, integrity, and commitment to students, families, colleagues, and community members. The resolution urges everyone to follow Berardi’s parting advice to the Association of California School Administrators: “Be yourself, live with empathy, and always put the kids first.”

Board members voiced appreciation for his guidance and approachability at the April 28 meeting. Kelly Champion said, “James mentored me. You know, he was my mentor getting on board. And he was my go-to for just any questions I had; he always had answers. He had great ideas.” Rhynie Hollitz noted the rarity of such a career: “I think this is a very special retirement because not very many educators retired from a district where they were a student, a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent. And that’s gotta be really special.”

Megan Meschery highlighted his personal connection to the work: “James, you’re such a human human. You like people. And I appreciate that a lot because teaching is a human industry. And you know, it can be complex and beautiful and messy and straightforward. It can be like so many different things at once. And James, you’re just this incredible talent with dealing with human emotion.” Andrea Ceresola-White recalled his support when she entered county leadership: “When I became the county superintendent for Plumas, and we went to our very first big county superintendent meeting, James texted me, ‘Are you here? Come over. Let me introduce you to the people.’ And so he literally held my hand those first couple meetings, introduced me to all the right people, explained a lot of things to me, and I learned a lot from him, and I extremely appreciate that. So thank you.”

Berardi thanked the group and reflected on his path. He said, “It’s all about people. Whether it’s a board member, a community member, the kids, the colleagues, I couldn’t be where I was without the people I worked with. I have to say thank you to all of you. It’s been a great run.”