No doubt that Vince Hobbs has a passion for his city and its students.

That’s one of the reasons he opted at a run for the provisional board seat of the Ripon Unified School District.

On Monday, Hobbs, who along his wife Stephanie initiated the grass-roots effort of the Ripon Community Athletic Foundation over a decade ago – nearly $2 million in fundraising coupled with support from the school district have made possible the renovations at the Ripon High football stadium otherwise known as Stouffer Field – was administered the oath of office by board President Kit Oase for the term that expires in November 2020.

“I don’t shy away from the challenge,” he said of his decision to fill the vacancy left when Annette Vande Pol announced her recent resignation from her Area 2 post.

She was elected in 2018 to a four-year term as the representative of the area made up mostly of south of Main Street to the Stanislaus River. The provisional seat is only good to the next general election in 2020 and, from there, will be that of a two-year term.

Hobbs and his family have lived in Ripon for 27 years.  He served on the RUSD Facilities Master Planning Committee and is the Project Manager of RCAF.

Prior to that, he worked for the Hayward Fire Department, serving as a Battalion Chief of Emergency Management and Special Projects, retiring after 30 years.

Hobbs is looking forward to continuing his efforts with RUSD – included is the RHS Ag Department expansion and internships – and in the community.

He was among the three candidates interviewed last week for the provisional post.

Trustees, in addition, recognized Vande Pol for her dedication and service during her brief time on the board.