Jean Quan rallied public school supporters one final time as the District 4 school board representative last weekend.

"As the cuts happen like in the early '90s," she said, the challenge of fiscal belt-tightening "can be overcome. But we cannot afford to let the schools not move forward."

Quan supporters of all ages gathered at the Chabot Space and Science Center on Saturday to wish the 12-year school board member the best as she begins service on the City Council. And the potluck gave Quan a chance to thank more than 200 people who helped her both in the schools and during the campaign.

Jean Quan thanks parent volunteers (l-r) Darryl Stewart, Laurel parent; Rob Godfrey, past Glenview PTA president, and husband, Dr. Floyd Huen.

Quan compared the development of Chabot to "being pregnant for nine years." Now that the science center is in its teenage years, she added, more care and funding are needed. Measure G, a bond measure passed in November, will bring additional financial support to the center.

In addition to new exhibits, Quan and others envision the possibility of a small science-focused high school being developed at the site.

"The major reforms in Oakland have been carried by (District Four)," Quan pointed out. She thanked educators, PTA presidents and dads clubs leaders for their hard work over the years, giving out T-shirts that say "$12k for K-12" -- the slogan of school supporters during their spring protest.

"There is not a neighborhood in the district in which she has not walked," said Darryl Stewart, who stood in for his wife Kay, the Laurel Elementary School PTA president. She's walking her walk and talking her talk."

Thanks in large part to Quan, Stuart said, the school's 50-year-old play structure was replaced and a lawn was added. "She made things happen (that) I thought would never happen. I just held my breath. She always delivers."

Other supporters at the event shared how they and every other PTA president in the district had been taken to lunch by Quan.

Former Redwood Hts Dad Club president and fire fighter, Doug Wong, presents thanks on behalf of the American Red Cross.

Douglas Wong of the American Red Cross-Bay Area Chapter presented Quan with a plaque thanking her for her work on a disaster survey for the school district and the use of the schools as shelters following natural disasters. "Quan did a lot of extra work for the schools," he said.

"Oakland won't get better until the schools do. I ran for City Council to continue to move the schools forward," Quan said.

She ended her presentation at Chabot by introducing her chief of staff: Richard Cohen.

Quan will be sworn in as a councilwoman on Jan. 6 at City Hall.