Putting Student Voice at the Table: Inside the Work of Fremont's Youngest Female Trustee

A Commitment for Student Voice

Before joining the school board, she served as Chair of the Wellness Committee, where she helped introduce a Hindi language program into district schools. From the beginning, her goal was clear: make sure every student is heard. Running for the school board wasn’t about titles or politics. It was about representation and making sure students had someone in the room who truly understood them.

Moments That Made It All Worth It

Some of her most meaningful memories didn’t happen in formal meetings. They happened during visits to school sites and events like Reading Across America, where she interacted directly with elementary students. These moments stood out because board members usually focus on reports, data, and policy. Meeting students face-to-face truly builds a connection and can arguably make more of an impact.

Another meaningful moment was voting on major issues, especially budget-related decisions. Each vote carried real consequences for schools, staff, and families.

The Truth About Funding

The most difficult part of her role has been voting on budget cuts. Fremont Unified is chronically underfunded, currently rated at a low funding level of “78”.

A major concern is the district’s parcel tax, which supports many essential positions and programs and is set to expire soon. Fremont has the lowest parcel tax in the country. Take Palo Alto, for example. They charge homeowners nearly $1000, but Fremont’s rate still remains far lower.

Because parcel taxes require voter approval, and Fremont voters often reject increases, the district struggles to secure stable funding. Although seniors are exempt and taxes are structured in different ways, community resistance remains a major obstacle.

Updates on Measure E

Measure E, a $650 million bond approved in 2014, funded classroom upgrades, safety improvements, and new technology. Many projects have recently been completed. During her site visits, she saw new security cameras and HVAC upgrades at Kennedy High School, as well as updates to structures at Horner.

Some projects were delayed due to administrative uncertainty and logistical challenges, but overall, there is still progress.

School Safety

In October 2024, Irvington High School (the school where many of my peers and I attend) faced a dangerous electrical switchgear overheating posing risks of fire, heat damage, and possible explosions.

Unfortunately, Measure E funds could not be used for this repair. Instead, funding came from Measure M, which is designated specifically for high schools. Irvington is currently the top priority for Measure M funding.

Closing the Achievement Gap

Academic inequality remains a major issue in FUSD. Schools like Mission San Jose consistently outperform others, creating wide achievement gaps.

To address this, the district prioritizes equity in its mission statement. Schools with greater needs receive more funding, and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) sets aside resources to reduce ___. An equity committee regularly evaluates district progress.

How Students Can Make a Difference

She strongly believes that students are essential partners in improving the district. Students can help each other by

• Tutoring peers
• Offering emotional & academic support
• Advocating for underrepresented groups
• Speaking honestly about school conditions

She notes that programs like counseling or school lunches may look good on paper, but students know what actually works and what doesn’t.

Mental Health

Mental health remains a priority, though results have been mixed. In 2022, FUSD partnered with the Humes Center to place mental health clinicians at every high school. However, awareness is low, and many students don’t know these services exist.

She believes the board must improve communication through announcements and school-level outreach.

She has also advocated for virtual counseling and tele-counseling programs, similar to those in nearby districts. Other promising developments include:

• Expanded MTSS support systems
• Conservators in elementary schools
• Intervention programs in middle schools
• Wellness Centers
• Peer resource centers

While the system isn’t perfect, meaningful processes are continuous.

Unequal Access to Courses

Course availability varies widely across schools. AP and language programs are primarily at schools like Irvington and Horner, while schools like JFK have fewer options.

These differences are driven by demand and staffing limitations, but she encouraged students to continue advocating for equal access.

Why Student Voice Matters

She urges students to attend board meetings, give public comment, and stay informed.

This is because students notice that GPS adults often miss, whether it’s overworked counselors, ineffective programs, or outdated resources. Their input helps the district improve in ways data alone cannot.

If More Funding Became Available

When asked what she would do with an additional $100 million, she would prioritize

• Hiring more counselors
• Supporting teacher retention
• Helping staff pay credentialing costs
• Addressing supply shortages
• Expansion of health services

These investments would strengthen both academic and emotional support systems.

Being a Young Leader

As the youngest female trustee, she often faces skepticism because of her age. Many underestimated her abilities. But her experience in navigating prerequisites, schedules, and academic pressure gave her valuable insight that many others missed. Over time, she proved herself with her actions.

Why She Chose Education Policy

After attending Fremont schools for 13 years and facing challenges herself, she entered education policy to create change. She ran partly to ensure her younger brother wouldn’t experience the same struggle as her and to make sure all students have someone who truly understands them.

The Future

She hopes her legacy will be remembered by empathy and effort. She wants to be remembered as someone who listened carefully, worked tirelessly, and made thoughtful decisions. Her vision for FUSD includes:

• Stronger student engagement
• More creative and supportive learning environments
• A district known for advocating for every student

In a system often dominated by paperwork, her approach stands out for one reason: she never forgets that behind every statistic is a student trying their best to succeed. And sometimes, that reminder starts with reading a picture book in a classroom, not just approving a budget in a boardroom.