A young teacher appears poised to unseat an incumbent on Oakley’s elementary school board, according to early results in Tuesday’s election.
In the race for the Area 4 seat of the Oakley Union Elementary School District, 24-year-old Isaiah Mateas gained 53.33% of the vote against incumbent Craig Pearson. The Contra Costa County Registrar of Voters is expected to release another update at midnight, with the next scheduled update set for Friday at 5 p.m.
Mateas pointed out that, if results hold, he would be one of the youngest elected officials in the East Bay.
“I think that puts me in a position to really hold myself accountable to bringing young people into the conversation in Oakley and in the greater Bay Area, as we are all one community in Contra Costa County,” he said.
If he ultimately wins the position once votes are finalized, Mateas said he would focus on improving funding accountability and equitable management of school funds across sites with regard to arts and special education programs. He also said he’d like to address teacher compensation, which is not living up to the cost of living in Oakley.
With 46.67% of the vote in the early returns, Pearson could possibly retain his position. While Pearson was unavailable for an interview on election night, his candidate statement details priorities for the Oakley school board that include responsible budgeting, transparency, safe schools and improved student achievement.
“I believe our students deserve a district that never settles for good enough and always strives to be among the best elementary school districts in the state,” he wrote.