Palo Alto Unified School District teachers and staff are celebrating following a district decision during the Feb. 10 board meeting to pause changes in student support services.

These services include copy technicians, as well as English learner, reading, and math specialists. 

District officials faced backlash from more than 150 teachers and staff who said the changes would have a negative impact. 

Palo Alto High School science teacher Samuel Howles-Banerji spoke during the meeting about the importance of the people in these roles.

“In order to build up our students, we need teachers and support systems,” Howles-Banerji said. “The actions of the management negotiations team and the board are decidedly aimed at gutting the foundation of our schools.” 

The board decided to reverse cuts following discussion and some public comments.  

“We are returning to the status quo we had a few weeks ago,” Board Vice President Rowena Chiu told the crowd.

Paly social studies teacher Eric Bloom addressed the recent firing of Veronica Rodriguez, Paly’s copy technician, as an action that needs to be reversed because of what  he said was the importance of her role for the school.

“I am an advocate for non-digital learning,” Bloom said. “The value and support she offers makes me a better teacher and makes my students smarter.”

Howles-Banerji emphasized the necessity of a good relationship between teachers and the district. He said that in looking at the factors that support student outcomes, both academic and mental health, it’s not administration, it’s the teachers.

“A strong system is not established with top heavy, bloated administration and bureaucracy,” Howles-Banerji said. “A strong district requires the best teachers and the best support staff for those teachers and students.”

He highlighted the importance of having good relationships between students and teachers. 

“You support students by making teachers feel valued and allowing teachers to spend more time with their students,” Howles-Banerji said.