SROs protect our children. Elect those that support them.

I would like to explain why I have endorsed Rinu Nair for Fremont Unified School District.

Rinu is running for the position of School Board member in District 4. Rinu is a very impressive young lady. There are two key things in that last sentence. The first, and most important, is that she is impressive. I have found her to be smart, dedicated to helping the community, driven, and thoughtful. The second key thing is that she is very young. This is the part that has given me the most pause.

Being young, she has limited experience to bring to the position that she is seeking. That said, her youth is not necessarily a limitation. She understands and is aware that she has much to learn, and she is open to doing so. Rinu listens to those that offer her council, yet seems to have the awareness to understand that advice must be weighed against evidence. She is open to hearing from those around her before making a decision, a trait that is far too lacking in even the most experienced of people.

Further, she brings a perspective of the students in the Fremont Unified School District. Parents, educators, and senior members of the community are already well represented on the school board. Someone with the perspective of the students could be a welcome addition.

Her opponent has been openly critical of the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, helping author a paper calling for the program’s elimination. For those unfamiliar, this is the program where dedicated members of the Fremont Police Department maintain a presence at our schools.

The SRO program in Fremont has proven its excellence. In 2022 the program was awarded the Model Agency Award by the National Association of School Resource Officers. SRO officers receive extensive training to better enable them to support our young people. This program is designed to provide our children with the safety and security they deserve. It is shameful to our society that violence in our schools is becoming normalized. As a father to three students in the school district, I sleep better at night knowing that these officers are there to protect my children.

Beyond that, they provide positive role models for our young people. They offer support, guidance, and do everything in their power to help those in need stay on the right path. They may not always succeed, but I am grateful to them for trying.

The SRO program has positive impact on students. I know this because I have the privilege of knowing Rick Jones, former Fremont City Council member and SRO at Washington High School. Rick had such a positive impact on at-risk students at Washington High School, that years later many of those students still reach out to him. The positive impact he had on these students is immeasurable.

Rinu has had very positive experiences with the SRO program and knows its importance. Rinu wants to ensure this layer of safety and support stays in place for our children. Her support of the SRO program is one reason so many current members of the school board, current and previous city council members, the mayor, and many more support and endorse her. https://rinu4fusd.com/endorsements/

SROs help keep our children safe. Rinu supports our SRO officers. For me, that makes it an easy choice.