A new elected leader will emerge in the Ripon Unified school board Trustee Area 1 race come Nov. 11.

The reason for that is board Vice President Chad Husky opting out after two terms.

Joe Franscella and Jason Winter are in the running for the post.

Here is a little bit about the candidates:

Joe Franscella

His campaign vision is “About Our Kids.”

Franscella is a fourth generation Ripon resident and graduate of Ripon High Class of 1986.

He’s a husband and father to two RUSD students as well as being involved in the Ripon Quarterback Club and an assistant with the Indians football program.

Franscella was once a local newspaper writer. During that time, he covered city government and the RUSD school board meetings for 10 years.

“(I) have evaluated and scrutinized their decisions of the past couple years couple years against those of other districts and outside legal opinions,” he said.

Franscella has been an outspoken community member against COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students.

His plan, if elected, would be to “bind the district through a resolution to defend parents’ right to decide what’s right for themselves and their kids regarding future COVID vaccine, mask and closure mandates,” he said.

Franscella added: “Everyone wants to forget COVID, who can blame us? In California, a COVID vaxx mandates for kids following full FDA approval is still law, which could happen easily in the new Trustees’ term.”

To learn about his candidacy and issues, visit his website at: www.riponunified.com. 

Jason Winter

Winter has been getting to know his neighbors.

He’s been canvassing Area 1 since Aug. 31, introducing himself by going door to door and listening to what they have to say.

“I believe the best way to serve and represent my constituents is to understand their concerns,” he said.

Winter is a father and a commercial real estate broker with a law degree from Humphreys University.

His wife, Sharee, is a middle school teacher. They currently have two boys in RUSD, attending Park View Elementary School.

He and his family are fully invested to the place that they have called home since 2017.

“We live in Ripon because it is where we want to raise our family,” Winter said in his recent post.

He sees the many challenges that schools are facing these days.

“Economic uncertainty mixed with contradictory and inconsistent directives from different jurisdictions confuse our administration, teachers, parents, and students and jeopardize learning and school safety,” said Winter.

He added: “If I am elected to the school board, I will be a tireless advocate for school safety, parents’ rights, academic excellence and for teacher, student and parent coordination and collaboration.”

To learn more about the candidate, log on to www.winter4riponusd.com.