After 17 years, Martha Sodetani retires from Downey board of education

Martha Sodetani speaks at a farewell reception Wednesday. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — After 17 years of service to students, Downey Unified School District Board member Martha Sodetani has officially retired.

Family, friends, educators, elected officials, and community members gathered at the Pace Education Center on Wednesday to bid congratulations and farewell to the departing board member, whose time on the board came to a close earlier in the week.

The event included several proclamations, speakers, and a musical performance by retired DUSD CTE and Support Program Director Phil Davis.

Former school board member Betty Ferraro, who spoke at the event, said that Sodetani was “complex,” adding that “her activities are so vast, and they’re all focused on the condition and betterment of humanity and all living things.”

“As you can see, in the community of Downey and beyond, Martha matters,” said Ferraro.

“She has chosen to step away from the school board, and she needs R&R,” she continued. “Not rest and relaxation, she needs more time to return to reacting and rescuing; that is what Martha Sodetani does best and has done all her life.”

Former school board and council member Donald La Plante said that Sodetani “worked hard to make sure everyone had a good outcome in our school district.”

“She is one of the most carefully spoken and thoughtful people I know,” said La Plante. “Whenever you saw her on the school board dais, where all of us would be winging it…she thought through carefully what she wanted to talk about, where she had been, what activities she had done, and what views she had. That was the kind of school board member she was; thoughtful, caring, and worrying about all kids.”

Sodetani kept her own comments brief, saying to “choose happiness now” and “just go for it,” before touting DUSD’s success.

“The bottom line, the proof is in the pudding,” said Sodetani. “Downey Unified School District has a 95.4% graduation rate.”

After the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. John Garcia said that the district would miss Sodentai tremendously.

“Martha Sodetani is one of the most caring individuals, has got the biggest heart I think of anyone I know,” said Garcia. “While we celebrate her reaching this milestone, we will feel her loss and her contribution to the district because she leads with her heart wherever she goes.”