This is an ongoing petition that went live on Jan 30, 2025. 2301 Palo Alto students, parents, alum and community members signed the petition as of Feb 13, 2025. The signed petition is linked here:
https://tinyurl.com/SupportRowena-SignedLetter
Dear PAUSD School Board Trustees, Superintendent Don Austin,
We strongly support Trustee Rowena Chiu and are horrified by the inappropriate, misleading, and politicized attacks against her character and service. This outrage is amplified by the unacceptable attempts to use schools and staff to promote this agenda and harm the ability of our representatives to voice concerns from diverse communities here in Palo Alto.
Ms. Chiu has repeatedly demonstrated that she is a principled and courageous leader who stands up for what is best for the students and families of PAUSD. The vast majority of the public elected her to be a trustee due to her integrity and genuine care for all learners. Yet, at the January 23, 2025, PAUSD Board Meeting, when during a discussion about complex policies and curriculum Ms. Chiu bravely expressed concerns many in our community shared with her, she was treated with disrespect and even defiance to the extent that Ms. Chiu expressed feeling unsafe in the room. When she attempted to share that others also felt unsafe, her input seemed less important than that of other minorities. A staff member made it sound like not everyone has the same right to feel unsafe and implied this right depends on ancestry and the oppressed/oppressor narrative, not on the situation. Ms. Chiu, as the only female Asian-American trustee, and the many voters she represents, apparently do not have this right.
During the entire Board Meeting, Ms. Chiu conducted herself with integrity and thoughtfulness. She did not engage in any form of racism but rather exercised her right and duty as an elected official to scrutinize and question content, processes, and policies that impact students, families, and educators. She attempted to do her fiduciary duty and gather all the facts and educational materials to ensure decisions consider the well-being of all learners.
The accusations against Ms. Chiu are deliberate ploys by those who advocate for policies many of her constituents oppose. Specifically, Ms. Chiu expressed a desire to find a middle ground between establishing a recognized controversial subject as a mandated graduate requirement and not having the course at all. She attempted to explore whether the proposed Ethnic Studies curriculum could graduate from pilot to elective. She expressed a view held by many people, especially those who voted her on to the board in this last election cycle that the content for something this controversial required more opportunity to be reviewed, considered, and serve the academic and personal growth of all students equally. Putting it simply, her advocacy was in everyone’s children’s best interest, as expected and required by a trustee of our board of education. Any attempt to label Trustee Chiu’s stance as racist is a gross misrepresentation of her intent and words.
Furthermore, these attacks appear to be fueled by certain interest groups that wish to remove Ms. Chiu because she does not conform to their demands. This attempt to smear her reputation and force her out of office through baseless claims is an orchestrated effort to suppress opposing viewpoints.
Ms. Chiu was elected by the people of Palo Alto to serve as an independent and thoughtful voice on the school board. Calling for her resignation over false claims is not only unjust but also a dangerous precedent for free speech and open dialogue in public service. If board members are to be attacked for asking difficult questions and challenging staff, then democracy within PAUSD is at risk.
You must publicly denounce these false accusations and reiterate the appropriate conduct expected from all staff - to avoid inserting politics into educational settings. The PAUSD board should reaffirm its commitment to fostering openness to diverse perspectives and respectful debate. Ms. Chiu deserves recognition for her efforts as she continues to fight for fairness, transparency, and the best interests of all our students.
We stand with Rowena Chiu!
