(December 29, 2024) In a historic election that drew attention far beyond the city of Fremont, California, 18-year-old Rinu Nair got elected as a member of the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) board of education. Born in the United States, Rinu is currently studying neuroscience and political science at De Anza College. She won 50.10 percent of the vote, defeating her opponent, Ganesh Balamitran, who garnered 40.90 percent. With her induction on December 13, 2024, Nair became the youngest individual to hold this position in Fremont and the youngest woman to achieve this distinction nationally. Always passionate about volunteering for the benefit of the community both in the United States, and in her native country, India, Rinu’s dedication has shaped her journey to this role.
Rinu Nair with FUSD Board Vice President Larry Sweeney
“Thank you to every one of you who believed in the vision of this campaign and who helped support this journey,” Rinu shared in a statement following her victory. “This win would not have been made possible without each and every one of you. Our campaign brought together communities, and I am ready to start working to create the best possible environment for our students, staff, teachers, and administrators.”
The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD)
FUSD is a public school district in Fremont, California, providing primary and secondary education. It serves the entire city of Fremont.
The district operates 29 elementary schools, five middle schools, five high schools, and a shared campus housing a continuation high school and an alternative school.
The FUSD Board of Education is composed of five members elected at large by district voters. Board members serve four-year terms with no term limits. Leadership roles, including president, vice president, and clerk, rotate among the board members. Additionally, the board includes a non-voting student member, typically the Associated Student Body President from one of the district’s high schools.
The current board comprises President Larry Sweeny, Vice President Dianne Jones, Clerk Sharon Coco, members Vivek Prasad and the newly elected Rinu Nair, and student member Sriya Neti.
Life in Fremont
Rinu Nair’s journey to public service is deeply intertwined with her life in Fremont. A lifelong resident, she spent 13 years within the FUSD system, attending James Leitch Elementary School, Warm Springs Elementary School, Horner Middle School, and Irvington High School. These formative years instilled in her a passion for education and community service.
“Public education shaped me to become the person I am today,” she remarked. “This passion has manifested in my work in the school district.”
Her commitment to Fremont’s community has been remarkable. From hosting backpack drives and tutoring refugee students to organizing food donations and building portable shelters for the unhoused, Rinu consistently championed causes close to her heart. As chair of the FUSD Wellness Committee, she spearheaded initiatives that integrated mental health guidelines into district policies, established wellness gardens, and supported programs like the Sandy Hook Promise.
Volunteering in USA and India
The 18-year-old’s volunteer efforts extend beyond Fremont, encompassing impactful work in both her local community and her native country of India.
She led nine representatives to incorporate mental health into district guidelines—an unprecedented achievement. Her work included holding annual nutritional assessments, publicizing child nutrition services, and increasing nutrition standards for over 32,000 teens. She also established a mental health hotline and reporting system and introduced new language offerings to the district.
While in the U.S. as well as her native country India, she has shadowed over 300 hours at four hospitals across the two countries, assisting in eight surgeries and providing care to more than 500 patients. Her roles ranged from handling paperwork and administering tests to checking blood pressure. She even witnessed an open-heart surgery and worked in a pharmacy. Rinu’s most notable experience involved shadowing one of Kerala’s top cardiothoracic surgeons and aiding rural hospitals with patient care and record management.
A campaign of purpose
The Indian-origin teen’s campaign for the FUSD board member position focused on key priorities: reducing the achievement gap, improving campus safety, and expanding educational opportunities. She emphasized student well-being and sought to foster collaboration among students, teachers, parents, and administrators.
Rinu Nair not just ran for the office for the first time, but also voted for the first time
“As a former student, I have seen the lack of available course offerings to our students,” she explained. “I want to expand opportunities by allowing students to enrol in specialized courses not offered at their home schools, ensuring every student has the chance to explore advanced or unique subjects.”
Her campaign also addressed pressing safety concerns. She advocated for maintaining effective campus police programs that promote safety while building positive relationships between officers and students. “I hope to maintain an effective campus police program that promotes safety while fostering positive relationships between officers and students, ensuring a secure but supportive campus environment,” she stated.
Rinu is also dedicated to fiscal responsibility and transparency. She plans to support a parcel tax to increase revenue, expand public-private partnerships, and utilize the district’s alumni network to boost donations. “I would also use the general funds to help students who are underperforming to raise the standard of education for the entire district,” she added.
Championing student wellness and equity
Rinu’s volunteering work on the Wellness Committee has been a cornerstone of her commitment to student well-being. She introduced wellness gardens and collaborated with local organizations to provide portable shelters for the unhoused. Now, as a board member, she aims to expand these efforts.
“As a lifelong advocate for student wellness, I hope to promote student wellness by offering accessible, compassionate mental health support and promoting a positive and equitable learning environment,” she said.
Her vision includes increasing funding for FUSD’s special education programs, which she recognizes as among the strongest in the area but underfunded due to state and federal mandates. “I would work on finding ways to increase the funding that goes to these programs,” she explained.
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Looking ahead
With her term running through December 2028, the 18-year-old aims to make a lasting impact on the Fremont Unified School District. “I want to leave behind a legacy that shows that everyone’s voice can be heard and represented,” she affirmed. “I hope to be a voice for our students as many of them fear speaking up about the issues on campus.”
Her efforts to improve facilities, expand course offerings, and enhance safety measures are underpinned by her commitment to fiscal responsibility and student wellness.
“An elected official must be open to differing ideas and viewpoints,” Rinu had remarked in one of the candidate surveys conducted during the campaigns. “An elected official must be passionate about the work they do, ensuring that they are dedicated to serving the community.”
Fremont Unified School District’s youngest board member is ready to lead, and her journey has only just begun.
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