City Council candidate Lei Ann Varletta Larson is implying Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer could have a conflict of interest serving on the Manteca Unified School District board while employed by the City of Manteca.

Larson appeared before the Manteca City Council meeting Tuesday and spoke on the council’s pending vote on a land trade between Manteca Unified and the city as part of a plan to build a new fire station in southwest Manteca adjacent to a TK-8 elementary school site

While stressing she was “not contending declaring those two positions (serving as school board president and police chief) automatically (is) an unlawful conduct,” she questioned what she called “incompatible” responsibilities.

Larson went as far as implying Schuler was participating at a recent school board meeting on behalf of the city’s interests in regards to a 44-unit apartment complex on Wawona Street that she said has the potential to overflow students from their neighborhood elementary school.

MUSD Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn said that was not the case in terms of Schluer ever representing the City of Manteca’s interests in his role as a school board trustee.

Schluer, who has served as an elected school board member since June 2015, said state law does not preclude a police chief from serving on a public school board.

Larson is running against incumbent Dave Breitenbucher for the District 2 council seat.

She has taken issue with the new police headquarters being built in the 600 block of South Main Street directly across from her home.

The police station driveway will tie into the Wawona Street intersection complete with new traffic signals. Larson’s house is on the corner of the intersection.

Based on various social media postings, Larson has been critical of the $92 million price tag of the new police station.

At one point, Larson argued the location where the police station is being built would better be used as a community aquatics center with possibly and amphitheater as well.

Larson also locked horns with the city when they first considered the 680 South Main Street site for the homeless navigation center that is now going into the former 58,000 square-foot Qualex building at 555 Industrial Park Drive that is being remodeled for that purpose.

Larson ran for mayor in 2022.

In that election, Singh got 49.3 of the vote (10.866 votes) while Larson finished second with 25.55 percent (5,740 votes) and ahead of then incumbent Mayor Ben Cantu who finished third at 24.53 percent (5,348 votes).

Cantu has made it clear he intends to make his political comeback in the 2028 election cycle by running for the District 1 council seat. Incumbent Charlie Halford said he is not seeking re-election.

Cantu is backing Jacob Naven for mayor Nov. 3 stressing Naven’s election and his will help change the direction of the city.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com