Klotz, 2 others go unchallenged in Sutter County Board of Education race

As one door of his political life closes, Rob Klotz says, another opens.

He lost his bid for re-election to the Live Oak City Council — and after thanks Wednesday from colleagues for his service — announced he will be a Sutter County Board of Education member and that he had filed for that office along with the City Council.

Klotz said he would had to have chosen between the Live Oak council position and the county board of education if he had won re-election to the City Council.

He will be one of three new board of education members to take office in December after they ran unopposed for the three respective seats of incumbents who did not seek re-election. Klotz will succeed Norma Montna in Trustee Area 1, Kamdeep Singh Bains will represent Trustee Area 3 after Robert Jacoby did not seek re-election and Victoria La Chance will replace Dale Davis.

Names of the three new county board members did not appear on the ballot because they had no challengers. The position pays $25 for the monthly board meeting and a $736 monthly contribution toward medical benefits.

Bill Cornelius, Sutter County Superintendent of Schools, said the three incumbents "put in a lot of really good years.

"It was just time," Cornelius said.

The superintendent, who was elected to the post, said running for office makes you get out and meet people.

"You will be better by running against someone," Cornelius recalls being advised.

La Chance, who worked for the Yuba City Unified School District for about 20 years, said board member Davis has been a mentor to her.

Yuba City resident Bains, 38, a farmer and businessman said trustee Jim Richmond, who was not up for re-election, approached him about being on the board.

"He thought I had a lot to bring," Bains said of talking with Richmond.

Donna Johnston, Sutter County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters, said it's not unusual for candidates to run unopposed for education-related positions.

"The school boards just don't seem to be as contested," Johnston said.