Palo Alto Unified School District board member Rowena Chiu received condemnation and calls to resign from the Palo Alto Management Association and former PAUSD trustees after she reposted and commented on an X post on Monday.
PAMA released a document stating: “Given the gravity of Ms. Chiu’s actions and the harm they caused, we demand her immediate resignation from the PAUSD Board of Education.”
Another statement, a letter signed by 14 former PAUSD board trustees, also criticized Chiu’s actions.
“Chiu reposted a post that villainized a PAUSD staff member, identified the employee by name and posted her photograph,” the letter said. “The initial post resulted in racist, vile insults of the employee, which Chiu’s reposting further broadcasted.”
The post created by Asians Against Wokeness was in response to backlash Chiu received at the special PAUSD board meeting regarding ethnic studies as a graduation requirement and targeted PAUSD administrator Danae Reynolds.
In her comment, Chiu referenced her past experiences in explaining how she perceived the response of the crowd during the special board meeting where she disapproved of ethnic studies as a graduation requirement.
“I am a Harvey Weinstein Survivor,” the comment said. “In 1998 Weinstein told me, as he attempted to rape me, that he ‘likes Chinese girls because they’re discreet.’ In 2025, as an elected official, I spoke out against my own experiences of anti-Asian oppression, and I was once again suppressed.”
Advocates at the meeting spoke out against Chiu, where she said she “did not feel very safe” in the meeting.
The PAMA document later states that “this is not about political difference – it is about moral clarity and ethical leadership… There is no room for individuals in positions of power who vilify the work of educators, dismiss efforts toward racial equity, and perpetuate racist narratives that threaten students and staff alike.”
Members of Palo Alto High School administration signed the document, including Principal Brent Kline and assistant principals Jerry Berkson, Rebecca Shen Lorenson, LaDonna Butler and Michelle Steingart. The names of certified district employees, psychologists, and classified management employees were also included.
Former PAUSD trustee members who signed the letter include: Todd Collins, Jesse Ladomirak, Jennifer DiBrienza, Alan Davis, Diane Reklis, Julie Jerome, Susie Richardson, Amado Padilla, Cathy Kroymann, Gail Price, Dana Tom, Barbara Sih Klausner, Terry Godfrey and Ken Dauber.
As of press time, Chiu has not responded to an email from The Paly Voice asking for comment on the situation.
The Palo Alto Educators Association endorsed Chiu and is now set to have a representative council meeting this evening to discuss the matter. According to Paly site representative Erin Angell, most PAEA members aren’t aware of the content of the meeting yet.
“It’s my understanding that we are going to be discussing what PAEA’s reaction should be to the current situation [regarding Chiu],” Angell said. “This is a private meeting for representative council members only.”
