Community members are anticipating a boisterous showing at tonight’s Palo Alto Unified School Board meeting following newly elected board member Rowena Chiu’s controversial X post two weeks ago. 

This is the first board meeting following the 3-2 vote that confirmed that Ethnic Studies would go forward next year as a requirement for 9th graders.

Although Ethnic Studies is not on the official agenda, board members expect to hear from the community in the public forum section highlighting their opinions on the class as well as Chiu’s post, which addressed safety as well as oppression of different ethnic groups.  

Organizations that have condemned Chiu, like the Palo Alto Management Association and the Palo Alto Education Association are expected to be present. 

Groups supporting Chiu such as Stand for Rowena plan to show their solidarity by protesting silently from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Churchill Avenue, outside the district office board chamber. 

This is a developing story. Check back with The Paly Voice for updates.