Palo Alto Educators Association members plan to speak at tonight’s Palo Alto Unified School District board meeting as educators aim to demonstrate solidarity and address a range of concerns.

The anticipated showing follows a higher-than-expected turnout at the February school board meeting, when educators began speaking more actively on district issues. The increased presence comes as tensions over district decision-making and working conditions continue to shape conversations among teachers and the broader school community.

According to PAEA president Tom Culbertson, the expected turnout reflects growing momentum from February, with more educators planning to speak out on district concerns.

“Going back to the February school board meeting, [PAEA] members came together wanted to deal with some issues that were really urgent,” Culbertson said. “What we discovered is that we have found our voice. Our members really want to speak out on a lot of different topics, so tonight there is going to be a lot of members speaking out on a whole bunch of different issues and things they think are a problem.”

Culbertson said members plan to raise concerns about staff reassignments, salary negotiations and the district’s leadership direction, including the search for a new superintendent.

“There are members who are really concerned about the Paly theater teacher being reassigned to not being a theater teacher anymore,” Culbertson said. “We have teachers who are going to be speaking out on salary and contract negotiation issues. The community is talking about the future, choosing a new superintendent and where we are right now.”

According to Culbertson, the PAEA plans to continue advocating persistently while building partnerships with students and the community amid low trust in district leadership.

“We’re going to speak our truth, we’re going to tell people what we think as professionals, we’re very persistent as a group,” Culbertson said. “We’re going to keep putting in the effort and continuing to find partnerships with students and the community. This is a time, especially, where the community is really looking for a partner because management right now is at the lowest possible trust level in the community.”

The PAEA statement on the departure of superintendent Don Austin can be found here.