Cathy Pope Gottschall and Marie Freitas were formally sworn into office Tuesday as the recently elected members of the Manteca Unified School District following the Nov. 6 general election.  

Superior Court Judge Anthony Agbayani asked them to raise their right hands and repeat their oaths of office as they were joined by two veteran trustees, Stephen Schluer and Kathy Howe, who both ran unopposed.

Retired educator Marie Freitas who replaced longtime trustee Nancy Teicheira pointed out during her campaign that she believes the challenges of growth will continue to be something the district must watch especially as schools reach their capacities. She added that with large portions of growth concentrated south of the Highway 120 Bypass watching the enrollment numbers and planning for the future needs to be of top priority.

“The fall break is the best thing that has been done for both teachers and students because right now is the time when both teachers and students are burning out,” Freitas said during her campaign.  

Pope-Gottschall voiced favor for improving several of the campuses such as French Camp and New Haven elementary schools.  She also voiced her intentions to see that as schools are expanded and new schools are constructed,  the older schools are not forgotten and continue to serve their intended purpose of providing a quality education to the students who attend them.   

Families, friends and students filled the audience to witness the ceremony at the MUSD board room following a closed-door personnel session earlier in the evening where they rejected two claims against the district.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.