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Dublin school board Area 3 candidates Shalini Bhandari and Tanner Frye presented their platforms before the public eye during a forum last week moderated by the Pleasanton Weekly.
The competitors – each running for public office for the first time – found many points of common ground, but contention arose regarding Dublin Unified School District’s artificial intelligence policy.
Voters will decide in the Nov. 3 general election which candidate will represent south central Dublin for a term running into 2028. The victor is poised to succeed Trustee Carolina Martinez, who received a two-year provisional appointment but did not file for the election this fall.
Held on Sept. 16, the public forum took place in the Dublin Unified School District boardroom. The Weekly moderators formulated questions based on their own research and input from a community survey. Candidates for Area 5 also participated in the event.
Ahead of the question period, Bhandari and Frye introduced themselves in opening statements.
As a district parent and property taxpayer, Bhandari said she has a personal stake in the quality of schools and use of taxpayer dollars in Dublin.
Bhandari works as an energy sustainability manager and for over 12 years, she has managed energy sustainability programs. During her career, Bhandari said she has gained experience budgeting and working on projects with a range of stakeholders.
“A big part of my job is listening and bringing people together and making decisions that balance today’s needs with long-term goals,” Bhandari said. “I see a lot of the same responsibilities in serving on the school board.”
As a trustee, Bhandari said she would focus on transparency in district finances as well as students’ career readiness, wellbeing and inclusion.
Bhandari has been endorsed by Martinez, Board President Kristin Speck and former Area 3 trustee William Kuo.
Energy compliance inspector Frye introduced himself as a former teacher and paraprofessional in Oakland who is running for school board because he cares about students.
“I want to bring a lot of the same skills that I learned in helping students to this area as well,” Frye said. “Having hands-on experience, actually helping students, is a perspective that we need on our board.”
Frye said he prioritizes small class sizes, students’ mental health, relationships with teachers and transparency in district decision-making.
The discussion of AI kicked off with a question to candidates regarding which policy or piece of legislation they were tracking for its effects on education in Dublin.
Bhandari noted the district’s administrative policy regarding artificial intelligence as top of mind.
Under the policy, “course-alike” and grade level teams determine whether students can use generative AI and to what extent they can use it. The board last revised the policy this past May.
AI cannot replace fundamental skills, she said, but DUSD should teach students how to use it.
Bhandari later praised the district’s policy as being “proactive” and labeled it as one of the success stories coming out of Dublin elementary schools.
Students at a young age can learn how to use AI instead of feeling stressed about it, she explained.
Frye took up the subject of AI during his closing statement, generally expressing opposition to its use in schools.
“It can be useful in some places, but I think we should be extremely cautious about how we use it because it creates a lot of issues for students,” Frye said.
He noted generative AI bans in Los Angeles and New York City school districts as inspiration for Dublin.
At the Southern California school district, all students are blocked from using generative AI on district-owned devices this school year, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times. In New York City, “student-facing” generative AI is banned in public schools through eight grade, as announced on Sept. 2.
“I think we should follow suit, except in small situations,” Frye said.
Coding with an understanding of the fundamentals is a place for potential use of AI, he said.
“I don’t think we should be telling our kids that they should be using these chat bots”, he added.
The information oftentimes comes from unknown sources and the technology hallucinates to give incorrect answers, he said.
When asked about the most important issue facing Area 3, Bhandari pointed to students’ preparation for careers and college.
The preparation goes beyond academics into critical-thinking, adaptability, technology and communication, she added.
“If voted as a trustee, I will be listening to the community and seeing how I can help students be career ready,” she said.
Frye said the district should focus on students’ mental health.
The goal is for students to talk with their teachers and professionals if they are experiencing any difficulties, he said.
“Students burn out,” he said. “ I don’t want that to happen. I want students to understand themselves emotionally.”
During the forum, the two also addressed questions regarding labor negotiations with the teachers union, quality of school facility, the district’s financial health and projections of student enrollment. To hear the candidates’ full answers to all questions, see the forum video embedded in this story below.
The event was moderated by Pleasanton Weekly associate publisher and editorial director Jeremy Walsh and this reporter. DUSD provided the venue and video. The Dublin Chamber of Commerce provided publicity support.
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