Deborah Romero, loan officer with Ability Mortgage, is the new president of the Manteca Unified Board of Trustees.
She was voted unanimously by the seven-member panel during the board’s annual reorganization meeting last Tuesday night.
The selection of the clerk of the board went just as smoothly, with veteran trustee Nancy Teicheira of Area 4 getting the nod from her colleagues. She was nominated by Trustee Michael Seelye of Area 3. Romero was nominated by Trustee Sam Fant of Area 1.
The selection of the board vice president was not as simple and held a little bit of suspense. Not just one but two trustees were nominated for the position prompting Superintendent Jason Messer to comment that “it’s been a while” since this scenario occurred. He had to give instructions on how the process should be conducted. He said four votes are needed to confirm the election of the individual nominated.
Teicheira received the first nomination by Trustee Evelyn Moore, the most senior board member and the previous board vice president.
“She’s certainly qualified, and it’s her time,” Moore said, explaining why she was nominating Teicheira.
The second nomination made by Seelye went to Fant.
The voting was by roll call starting with Teicheira since she was the first to be nominated. By the fifth vote, it was clear she did not have the four Ayes needed for her to fill the post. Trustees Ashley Drain, Alexander Bronson, and Fant in succession all voted No, followed by a Yes vote by Moore. By the fifth vote with Seelye voting No, it was clear Teicheira failed to secure the vice president post.
It was clear, by the time the roll call was made on Fant’s nomination with the trustees who voted against Teicheira casting their choice on Fant.
From the comments made about Romero after she was nominated by Fant for board president, it was obvious that she was the lone choice. Fant praised her for being “calm and consistent” on the job. “She is one of the most consistent people I know,” he said.
Moore said Romero exemplified leadership by her knowledge of her job as trustee, and showed a keen interest in learning everything about the issues even when on complicated items such as the budget, asking pertinent questions all the time.
“She’s ready (for the job) is what I want to say,” Moore stated.
