Trustee Christopher 'Kit' Oase of the Ripon Unified School District has served on the California School Boards Association's Delegate Assembly for the past two years.

He's hoping to add another two years at being involved as integral member of the policy-making body of CSBA and, at last week's RUSD meeting Oase was again provided support from his colleague.

George Neely of the Lodi Unified School District has been part of the Delegate Assembly for the past six years, He, too, is looking forward to continuing those duties for the next two years.

They're part of CSBA Delegate Assembly Region 8, specifically, Sub Region 8-A consisting of San Joaquin County — current delegates (term expires) include Kathy Howe (2020) and Stephen Schuler (2020) from Manteca Unified; and Kathleen Garcia (2021) and Cecilia Mendez (2020) from Stockton Unified.

Oase and Neely are being challenged by MUSD board Vice President Eric Duncan and Lodi Unified Trustee Courtney Porter. Of the four, only two can be selected for the two-year term that runs from May 18 through March 31, 2021.

The deadline for the entry from the respective school boards on those selections is March 15.

Oase credits his skills and knowledge in the class room — he taught for 11 years — and his 24 years as an administrator as being among his top assets. He also served on the State Commission on Educational and Planning for many years.

Oase, who has served as president, vice president and clerk on the RUSD board during these past eight years, says CSBA "needs to continue to inform school boards at all levels of communication -- the importance of their role is fostering quality schools"

Duncan believes he's grown as a trustee over the past two years and "becoming a delegate will enhance that growth even more," he said.

Duncan, who is the MUSD representative consisting mostly of the Weston Ranch area of south Stockton, has been an active member in the community. He was appointed to the City of Stockton Parks & Recreation Commission, served as president and volunteer coach of the local youth sports scene, and is part of the CSBA Equity Network.

The biggest challenge facing local school boards is the lack of funding for public education, according to Duncan.

As an Assembly Delegate, he would continue to lobby for federal and state government to increase funding for education.

The next CSBA meeting of the Delegate Assembly is May 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.