BY DAVE PRICE
Daily Post Editor
The inmates are running the asylum.
That statement applies to the teachers at Palo Alto High School. A group of students who are eager to learn about advanced math are asking for multivariable calculus, and teacher Daniel Nguyen has obtained a master’s degree in order to teach it.
The school board told Paly to add the class on Dec. 16, but the teachers council said no.
Apparently the school is run by a committee of teachers, called the council of administrators and instructors, who oppose adding the class.
The teachers council said such a class would increase pressure on students and reduce “wellness.”
Oddly enough, that’s not a problem in the Mountain View Los Altos High School District, where the class is currently offered.
The school board needs to lay down the law and tell the teachers council that the class will be offered, whether they like it or not. Teachers who refuse the school board’s orders will be terminated due to insubordination.
If the board accepts this defiance, then it’s time for parents to either start charter school focusing on academics or elect school board members with cojones.
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Tax campaign starts
Speaking of the school board, they’re refusing to hold a study session to talk about whether the $941-per-year parcel tax is still needed.
Former board member Todd Collins argues that the money the district gets from regular property taxes is increasing while enrollment is decreasing. Collins says that 10 years ago, the district’s total funding was about $16,000 a student. This year, that number is more than double — $35,000 per student. The amount is greater than what the parcel tax generates. Therefore the parcel tax isn’t needed.
But the board won’t even talk about that. So it looks like we’ll see a tax renewal measure on the June ballot.
Last week, the district spent tax funds on a campaign mailer. It gives the benefits of the renewal tax and none of the drawbacks or counter arguments.
How can they get away with running a campaign using tax dollars? They’ll argue that the tax isn’t yet on the ballot, so campaign finance laws don’t apply. When the board formally votes to put the measure on the ballot, a citizens commitee is supposed to take over the campaigning and pay for mailers like this.
The one-sided mailer has a fake survey and urges people to mail it to the district.
What the district really wants are the names and addresses of people likely to support the tax. That’s the real point of the survey.
In parcel tax campaigns, consultants create lists of people who are likely to vote “yes” on the tax. When the ballots go out, people will have a month to return them. Campaigners will want to know at any point during that month if they’ve got enough votes for passage, or whether they have to scour the town for more ballots.
During this month-long period, they’re not allowed to peek inside the envelope to see how the person voted. But they can still tell if they’re winning or not by knowing how many ballots have been returned by people on the “yes” list.
If you’re on the “yes” list, they’ll call you frequently until your ballot arrives at the county. If you’re on the “no” list, you’ll never get a call. They want you to forget about returning your ballot.
Instead of going ahead with a rigged election, the school board should hold a study session on whether the parcel tax is needed. Listen to both sides of the argument, and then make a decision.
Editor Dave Price’s column usually appears on Mondays, but was delayed due to the holiday. It was written before Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
This is exactly the kind of thing it’s Don Austin’s job description to fix. If he isn’t willing or able, then the school board needs to start a search.
I just don’t get it. The board finally does something right and the teachers apparently have the right to reject it. What planet is Palo Alto living on?
There is too much pressure on kids in Palo Alto. Mountain View is a healthier city. Of course you should listen to the school board, but I understand why the teachers are against it. You put more pressure on these kids and you’re looking at a higher suicide rate. I call a spade a spade, and kudos to the teachers who care about the kids.
Absolutely right, Cassandra. Don’t challenge the kids. Keep them in cocoon as long as possible.
The kids in Palo Alto are challenged enough already. It’s a pressure cooker town, especially North PA. The suicide rate is off the charts. There are other affluent cities across the country that don’t have the problems that PA has. The teachers are looking out for the well-being of the kids, and I commend them. Our kids are grown, but I hope you’re not a parent.
Cassandra, what was the suicide rate amongst high schoolers last year in North Palo Alto compared to South Palo Alto? I’m asking you because you just said the suicide rate in north Palo Alto was “off the charts” — so how many north Palo Alto teens killed themself in 2025? What is the number? What’s the source of your information?
I have no idea what the suicide rate between the two sides of town are. I was saying North PA is more of a pressure cooker environment because it’s the wealthier side of town. Alan… reading comprehension. Have a nice evening!
Barely anecdotal and probably false, but, who knows?
Don’t fool yourself Cassandra These teachers don’t care about students, they just want to show parents who holds the power in this district
I’m saddened that you don’t think teachers care about students. I was a Paly student and a Paly parent myself. Sadly, Palo Alto is an unhealthy city. I hope it returns to normalcy. There’s always hope.
I’m sad that this is the experience of students at Paly but the students themselves have reported these feelings through many channels including the annual Panorama Survey. The administrators don’t really care to address it and teachers recently replied “maybe students have an unrealistic expectation of what a student/teacher caring relationship means. “Isn’t saying ’Hi’ enough for them?”
What do you believe is causing Palo Alto to be unhealthy that isn’t affecting other surrounding communities, like Los Altos and Cupertino, the way it is in Palo Alto?
Paly Parent, to answer your question honestly, the arrogance of too many wealthy Palo Altans. Sadly, it’s called “Shallow Alto” for a reason. Palo Alto wasn’t like that when I was growing up, but it was when we were raising our three children. I think the teachers are tired of the sense of entitlement from too many students and parents. Money is power, and I think some of the teachers are intimidated by the rich folks. Some affluent suburbs are more down to earth, but Palo Alto isn’t one of them. I hope your children are doing well academically, and they’re happy kids. Take care.
If some kid opts to study hard by taking challenging courses, why does that create pressure on students who don’t want to take those courses??? I have never understood that!
Chillax y’all! And let the kids do what they want at their own level!
The issue is MVC will create a new top math step for Palo Alto high schools, which is what all PA kids will be measured against when colleges look at their college applications. The kids are assessed against the type of classes available at the high school and they’re supposed to strive to reach the top most challenging level. This means you put all the other Palo Alto kids at a competitive disadvantage for the sake of the 25 or so who want to take this very advanced math, which they can take at the junior college without causing the downward influence on all their peers. That’s the pressure
Why is it everyone want’s the government’s hands off until it’s an issue they like. This school board ought to adopt a new slogan, “Your body, my choice.” I hear it’s becoming popular.
Hint: If you don’t want your kid enrolled in the course, then don’t.
If I decide not to take this elective, and another kid chooses to take it, how does that affect my wellbeing and psychological health?
I’m curious as to what subjects the teachers who decided this teach. Do any of them actually teach math and science classes?
Handholding doesn’t actually prepare kids for the world of work in Silicon Valley. And you really don’t have to be a genius to get a good job, you just have to have the right skills that most of the teachers don’t have.
Not offering MVC at this point is just ridiculous. I commend Alison and Rowena for standing up for the many kids and families who wanted this, and who advocated for years to get it. I agree that there is an element of racism in not offering this class, and our community should be ashamed of themselves.
This is a perfect example of why more students in Palo Alto are so stressed out compared to other high performing districts. The conflict between school staff and parents is never ending and creates an environment that mimics a household where parents are at odds with each other, in particular where one parent is intentionally creating an environment which harms children (they supposedly care about) just to prove they are “superior”. Ultimately, in this context, parents (not staff) should be the people who are responsible for deciding what is in their children’s best interest. The immature attitude of much of the staff in this district needs to stop. If you don’t believe me, look at the secondary students’ responses to the panorama survey.
There are more students in Palo Alto that are more stressed out compared to other high performing districts. I don’t think it’s the immature attitude of the staff. Sure, they’re part of the equation but it’s mostly the parents. I saw it with my own two eyes. Elitist parents who wanted to know what you can do for my “special” child seeing to it that their kid get into Stanford, or the Ivy Leage school of choice, when the teacher was teaching the 3RD GRADE! It was not only sad, it was pathetic. In the words of Eric Clapton, “Before you accuse me (the teacher), take a look at yourself.” Most teachers enter the profession wanting to make a difference. They don’t get enough respect from the students, parents or administration. Harsh judgment towards teachers in general is harming your child. Teachers are human too.
Cassandra says, “There are more students in Palo Alto that are more stressed out compared to other high performing districts.”
Cassandra, what are you basing that on?
Last time you were challenged on suicide stats, you admitted to making them up.
FYI, high-performing districts in the U.S. typically include Glenbrook, Ill., Syosset Central in New York, Scarsdale, N.Y.; Roslyn Union Free School District in New York and Radnor Township in suburban Philadelphia.
Palo Alto doesn’t usually make the list of high-performing districts, although residents, teachers, administrators and realtors pretend otherwise. I guess you could find Palo Alto in a list of Top 100 or Top 1000.
Assuming that you’re telling the truth this time, what measurement was used to compare stress levels in Palo Alto to these other high-performing districts?
Crickets
Cassandra I’m just pointing out what I have personally seen and heard from some teachers and especially administrators. Have you actually looked at the marketing for this school district? It’s geared towards attracting/retaining the exact type of families that you are bashing. You and your parents chose to raise children in this elitist town that has celebrated eugenicists for more than a century. Why do you seem so surprised that some people here believe that their offspring are gifted. They probably are.
You may not be a part of this group, but if you look at how this district is “marketed”, you should not be surprised by the attitudes of many people who pay a boatload of money to live here. When the staff despises the parents of the students they teach (especially when they have never even met these parents, like with so many secondary teachers, school counselors and administrators), it definitely has an effect on the mental wellbeing of the kids.
We did choose to raise our kids in Palo Alto, and so did my parents. I had a very happy childhood, and so did our kids. They thrived at Paly, academically and athletically. We never pressured them. We kept an even keel and let them be normal kids.
I am surprised by the attitude of some Palo Altans. We all put our pants on one leg at a time. I’m not bashing Palo Altans in general, or wealthy people. I’m bashing ARROGANT SNOBS that think they’re better than everyone else. Nobody likes a snob, and snobs have ruined Palo Alto.
We were treated with dignity and respect by the teachers. Probably because we treated the teachers with the same respect. The Golden Rule.
Cassandra, you claimed Palo Alto kids are more stressed out than those in other high-performing districts. Can you cite the study showing that?
For those who do not grasp the issue. MVC requires a HUGE amount of memorization. The teaching of linear algerbra is just as valuable and simpler in many ways.
We need to dumb all of our math down so nobody feels the need to compete. Those high-achieving kids need to be knocked down a peg or two.
I went to Paly and the teachers sure didn’t give a Flying F about me.
Why is Casandra allowed to keep hogging page after page??
I’m pretty sure that Cassandra is one of the Palo Alto snobs she’s complaining about. She sounds like the core group that participates in PTA and puts down other parents to gain favor for her own offspring. Just saying, we’ve all met them “I parented my kids perfectly, unlike the other despicable people who moved here and ruined the schools”. Oh brother!