Breaking: Administration reverses decision, reinstating theater teacher Oscar Varodayan, Jasper Veer Tuteja, and Joyce Ma March 27, 2026
Music program to receive state-of-the-art Steinway concert piano Joyce Ma and Oscar Varodayan March 16, 2026
Verbal conflict erupts in contentious board meeting Oscar Varodayan and Navya Narayanan February 11, 2026
Opinion: Earlier start time? Let’s sleep on that Jasper Veer Tuteja and Oscar Varodayan February 11, 2026
[Photo] School Board votes to offer reduced parcel tax rates on June ballot Priya Tamura, News Editor, Webmaster February 11, 2026
![Crochet Club member sophomore Amber Li creates a yarn heart with self-bought items as the club adjusts to the new reimbursement process at Palo Alto High School. Li said the refunding process requires coordination between two people in their club. “It [reimbursement] is more convenient if you know your secretary and treasurer,” Li said. “There’s a lot of overlap between those jobs [in Crochet Club], but if there isn't, then it might come off as a little bit of a long process."](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/amber-li-e1773872152566-1200x1090.png)
![Palo Alto High School Choir Director Michael Najar shows The Voice the 1911 Steinway grand piano in the Haymarket. After a nine-year effort, the Performing Arts Center will be home to a state-of-the-art Steinway 9-foot Model D concert grand piano. According to Najar, many are shocked by the $239,000 price tag. “If you don't know what it [a good piano] sounds like, then I can just play on anything, but if you know, there's only going to be one, and we're going to use it too,” Najar said. “We're [the Paly Instrumental Music Program] not hiding this thing [the new piano], and it's not just going to be for special performances. Middle school bands, if they have a competent pianist, will use it.”](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_4623-1200x800.jpg)
![Board meeting attendees, many of whom are Palo Alto Educators Association members, filled the room at the district board meeting on Tuesday. According to math teacher Herb Bocksnick, the time teachers save by not having to produce their own copies lets them support students. “I have done 34 summer recommendations over the last two months afforded by the time that Veronica [Rodriguez] provided me instead of standing in front of a copier,” Bocksnick said.](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_3464-1200x900.jpg)
![All eyes watch the Palo Alto Unified School District board and leadership Tuesday night at the district office. Allison Zeman, PAUSD reading specialist and parent, said she supports a sustained parcel tax to help maintain staffing levels and a sense of belonging for every student. “In order for us to really provide that [environment] for every student, we need the staffing, because there's nothing more powerful than the relationship between a student and the staff members,” Zeman said.](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_3470-e1770845808759-1200x731.jpg)
![Football head coach Edward Tonga poses inside the athletic director’s office today at Palo Alto High School after being named the program’s new head coach. According to Tonga, balancing athletes’ responsibilities beyond athletics limited preparation, making great involvement ahead of competition an important factor in improving results. “At the time [football season], a lot of the players were involved in other sports, involved in school and also work,” Tonga said. “On top of that, it’s time management. This year, if I am able to do a lot with them during the off-season and be more present, it will definitely help shape the football season.”](https://palyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6958-1200x900.jpg)