OCEANSIDE -- In a surprising move, Deputy City Manager Mike Blessing has filed papers to run for a seat on the Oceanside Unified School District Board of Trustees.

Blessing has worked for the city for the last three decades. His wife, Sandi, was on the Oceanside school board from 1992 to 1996.

Blessing said Friday he decided to run because he wants to remain involved in the community after he retires from the city next year and because he wants to share some of what he's learned during his 30 years at City Hall.

Both he and Bill Abel --- another challenger for the two school board seats held by Adrianne Hakes and Roy Youngblood --- said they are pleased with the direction the district has been heading under the current board.

Abel, director of transportation for the Ramona Unified School District, said he also wants to use his years of experience to serve the public. His grandchildren are enrolled in Oceanside Unified schools, he said.

"If (voters) just want to try someone different, I think I'd be a good candidate for that," Abel said. "People get tired of the same thing going on."

Until last week, incumbents Hakes and Youngblood said they didn't expect any challengers. Both said they wanted to run for another four-year term to continue the work they have done while on the board.

Youngblood has held his seat for 12 years; Hakes for eight.

In the last two elections, Oceanside Unified board members have run unopposed.

Hakes, a retired educator, said she thinks the school district races are so quiet because the community is pleased with the work the board and district administrators are doing.

Youngblood, a substitute teacher and retired Navy corpsman, said he is confident that he and Hakes will be re-elected.

"Why would somebody want to vote for someone different when they know what they've got right now and they're happy with us?" he asked rhetorically. "I don't think there are many people who want somebody new just to get a new body in there."

Candidates have said they don't expect to do much fundraising during the election, which they said they expect to be low-key.

Any potential challengers had until 5 p.m. Friday to file election papers. A final candidate list wasn't available Friday afternoon. However, an updated list will soon be available online at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters.

At least one other person -- former Marine Sgt. Tia Ballard-Gregson -- had picked up election papers, but hadn't filed them as of Friday morning.

Contact staff writer Stacy Brandt at (760) 901-4009 or sbrandt@nctimes.com.