Alameda Unified School District

With Election Day just over a month away, the candidates are making themselves known.

Last Saturday, the League of Women Voters hosted a forum for those seeking seats on the AUSD Board of Education.

Five candidates vying for two spots, incumbents Gary Lim and Carrie Hannell, joined by Joyce Boyd, Mike McMahon, and Sarah Putnam.

As you might have imagined, the primary topic was the system's budget.

Gary Lim noted that for the 2029-2030 school year, the district will face a deficit of $9.5 million.

AUSD faces something of a unique challenge.

While enrollment is trending down in California schools, AUSD has seen a slight rise, much of it credited to changes and expansion in the kindergarten program.

Another topic, AI and its place or lack of one in the schools.