Pat Dedmon is running for a seat on the Oakley School Board not because he believes things are bad, but because they could be better.

"I do think things here are good; the Oakley School District is a gem," he said. "But the times they are a'changin', and we just need to do what we can to continue to evolve and keep on top of things."

Dedmon, who is a mining technician at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch, has three children: one at UC Davis, one at Freedom High and one in sixth grade. The first-time candidate heard about the school board position through a friend, who suggested he run.

"I thought about it, and then said, 'Why not?' I am a very involved parent, and I think I could bring a lot to the board," said Dedmon. "I want to see the school district continue to do well as it grows and expands."

One of the ways he would do that, he said, is through an open dialogue among the parents, teachers, students and board members.

"I'm talking about communication, real communication," he said. "A board member needs to be in touch with teachers and the needs of individual students. It's one thing to hear from management and what they are doing, but to actually go out there and touch each individual school and make sure everyone is getting what they need and want - well, that's a whole different thing."

Dedmon is also concerned about student safety.

"One of my issues is that there seems to be a lot of violence in the schools," he said. "I've seen a climate change in the attitudes of children, and I think there needs to be a zero tolerance policy if a student brings a weapon to school. I think right now the district deals with it case by case, but I believe there needs to be a fair policy for everyone."

Eager to embrace the growing population, Dedmon said he also wants to see the area develop at a steady and responsible pace.

"I know we are expanding and building new schools. And one of my concerns is that with all the expansion, we need to make sure the older schools are being taken care of too in regard to repairs and upkeep," he said.

"I also want the teachers to be taken care of so we don't lose the great people we have. The teachers I have dealt with have been so impressive, and we want to make sure we have those same kinds of people in place when we open our new schools."

So Dedmon is not so much looking to shake things up as build on what is there.

"I think the district is doing a good job, I do, especially when you read about what is going on in some of our neighboring cities," he said. "I believe I could bring a lot to the board if I get the opportunity."