Phillip Chen, elected to the Walnut Valley Unified School District board in November, officially took his seat Monday.
Chen, a health deputy for Supervisor Mike Antonovich and a reserve sheriff’s officer, was sworn into office along with veteran board member Larry Redinger, who was re-elected to a sixth term.
In the election on Nov. 8, Chen came in first, taking the seat vacated by incumbent Carolyn Elfelt, who moved out of the district and was not eligible to run. Redinger kept his seat on the board.
“Quite frankly, it feels rather humbling,” said Chen on Tuesday. He was impressed with a Walnut Valley parent who spoke about bettering communications between parents and the district.
“It is helpful to know parents who have issues will come to the school board meetings to resolve them,” he said.
Chen said he hopes to learn the ropes from veteran board members Redinger, Cindy Ruiz, Nancy Lyons and Helen Hall.
Walnut Mayor Pro Tem Mary Su administered the oath of office to Chen. Mt. SAC board Trustee David Hall swore in Redinger, who was named board president.
-steve scauzillo