Ava Knapp

Palo Alto High School administrators say they have leads on identifying an individual they allege was responsible for posting flyers Sunday on campus with what they called ‘inappropriate information’. According to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson, students should seek help if needed. “If someone feels threatened, they can come see us and we can give them some support,” Berkson said.

Editor’s Note: We have removed the original photo following confirmation of the individual’s identification.

Palo Alto High School administrators say they have leads on identifying an individual they allege was responsible for posting flyers Sunday on campus with what they called ‘inappropriate information’. 

Superintendent Don Austin said that Paly administration and safety teams made progress after sending an email out to the community Wednesday requesting help identifying the man.

“The decision [to send the email] was made to release the images of the person in an effort to identify them,” Austin said. “Leads have come in and we are hopeful that we will be able to identify the individual definitively.”

The flyers referenced the recent death of a student and attributed the tragedy to “lies and perversions taught by the teachers’ union” regarding LGBTQ+ education. A Daily Post excerpt included in the flyers identified the student as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

The flyer also referenced opposition to the district’s Ethnic Studies requirement and diversity, equity and inclusion programs and offered support for U.S. President Donald Trump and recently elected Palo Alto Unified School District board member Rowena Chiu, who condemned its message in a text conversation with The Paly Voice yesterday.

Chiu said she was unaware of the flyer before being sent a copy by the Voice.

“I utterly and wholeheartedly condemn all hate speech, but especially against LGBTQ+ communities,” Chiu stated. “I have been involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy work through the ‘MeToo Movement’ and I will continue to champion the voices of the underrepresented and vulnerable. I’m horrified that the tragic death of a beloved member of our community is being used in this way.”

According to Assistant Principal Jerry Berkson, the Palo Alto Police Department is aware of the situation. 

“We contacted the police since there was a line [in the flyer] that could be viewed as a threat to the teachers union,” Berkson said.

According to Austin, he wants Paly students feel supported through this investigation.

“The flyers that were apparently posted on our school site by an adult are disturbing on many levels,” Austin stated in an email to the Voice. “It is also another disturbing example of adults creating issues in inappropriate ways. Our students should have the right to feel safe and unbothered by the community when they are at school. We will pursue this one with our full attention.”

Berkson said students should seek help if needed.

“If someone feels threatened, they can come see us and we can give them some support,” Berkson said. “I know a lot’s going on in the world right now where I think a lot of people don’t feel safe.”

According to the email sent out to Paly community, if you have information about identifying the individual, it can be submitted on this link.

If you or a friend are in need of immediate support, use resources listed below:

Call 911 or 988 Lifeline

Crisis Text Line: Text ‘home’ to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or Text 988

Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386

Bill Wilson Youth Hotline (24-hour Suicide & Crisis Line): 408-850-6125