Five candidates for Alameda Unified School District Board of Education participated in a public forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Alameda.

Five candidates for the Alameda Unified School District Board of Education laid out their priorities on the district's budget, artificial intelligence in classrooms, and youth civic engagement during a public forum on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Alameda High School's Little Theater.

The League of Women Voters of Alameda hosted the event, with LWVA president Anna Crane moderating. The candidates — newcomer Sarah Putnam, returning candidate Joyce Boyd, former board member Mike McMahon, and current incumbents Gary Lym and Carrie Hahnel — are competing for seats on the Education Board in the Nov. 3 general election.

Budget concerns dominated the conversation

All five candidates identified AUSD's finances as a central challenge, even as the district reported a more positive financial outlook than expected for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. Statewide trends of declining enrollment and shrinking school budgets framed the discussion.

Lym pointed to a projected $9.5 million deficit in the 2029–2030 fiscal year as one of the critical decisions ahead. Hahnel said the district needs a clear vision for its future and urged a conversation about "redesign" rather than cuts, arguing that taxpayers need to see what the district is building toward.

McMahon said California's funding formula for public and charter K-12 schools puts Alameda "at a disadvantage" and stressed the need to show voters their tax dollars at work. Boyd called for direct collaboration with unions and the community if school consolidation becomes a possibility. "Those decisions shouldn't be made just by five people who are on the board," she said, according to the Alameda Post.

Putnam said she hears frequent parental concerns about class sizes and school closures and emphasized the importance of community and student input.

Lym noted that despite statewide enrollment declines, AUSD showed a slight enrollment increase this academic year, which he attributed to the board's expansion of transitional kindergarten and implementation of full-day kindergarten.

Sharp divides on AI in the classroom

The candidates split most clearly on the role of artificial intelligence and technology in schools.

Putnam took the strongest stance, saying she would like AUSD to become an "AI-free zone," citing data privacy concerns, student distrust, and potential negative impacts on learning. She also questioned why staff members are permitted to use AI tools for tasks like lesson planning while students are banned from using them.

Boyd said students will need to graduate knowing how to use AI appropriately but should rely on physical books and materials "for as long as possible." She also raised concerns about AI's mental health effects on youth outside the classroom.

Hahnel urged a holistic approach, saying AI "has a role in our schools" if it supports learning and critical thinking, but the district should be "very cautious about it, particularly at the earliest grades."

Lym said the board is already engaged on the issue through AUSD's AI Advisory Committee and pointed to a recent board presentation by Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi on AI usage among middle and high school students.

McMahon proposed a "three-legged approach": training teachers, monitoring for "AI creep" in device-based programs, and involving parents and community members in developing the district's AI framework.

Youth voting drew mixed support

Asked whether 16- and 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in school board elections, candidates offered a range of views.

Putnam supported the idea, saying board decisions "greatly affect" Alameda's youth. Boyd opposed it, citing low youth participation numbers at other districts and the cost to implement — she offered a hypothetical example of a district paying more than $100,000 to register 500 student voters.

McMahon said he would explore the possibility but wanted a clearer picture of the fiscal implications. Lym said state law limits the board's options and suggested returning to a previous model of holding candidate forums at Alameda high schools. Hahnel said student voice should matter in elections but would not want to compromise the district's independence to extend the voting age.

The full forum is available on YouTube via the League of Women Voters of Alameda.