The last time voters decided the fate of those on the Manteca Unified Board of Education, they ousted the two incumbents and elected two people who weren’t technically eligible to run.
Not this time around.
Cathy Howe – who was appointed earlier this year to serve the remainder of the first half of the term vacated when Alexander Bronson resigned under charges of election fraud – held a commanding 71 percent to 29 percent lead over challenger Tony Berchtold to serve the remaining two years in Area 2.
Incumbent Michael Seelye as of 12:15 a.m. was headed towards his third term with a 52 percent to 47 percent lead over challenger William Klump.
And in Weston Ranch, where Sam Fant opted to not seek another term, the race was tight between West Walker and Eric Dunan Sr. – with Duncan leading by 69 votes. Alison Ordner trailed Walker by 215 votes as of the 12:15 press deadline.
With thousands of absentee and provisional ballots still outstanding, those numbers could change significantly over the course of the coming weeks. The California Secretary of State typically doesn’t certify election results until December, and local races in 2014 shifted greatly once all of the outstanding ballots were counted past election night.
Stephen Schluer, who was running unopposed for the unexpired term of former trustee Ashley Drain, was already appointed to serve out the remaining two years.
Robert Wallace, who was running to represent Area 7 and the seat that was vacated when Board President Deborah Romero opted not to seek another term, was also appointed to the board when no opponent filed the necessary paperwork to challenge him.

 To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.