Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Don Austin will show full support for the Palo Alto High School administration and local law enforcement for a crackdown on “egg wars” if it occurs, he said at yesterday’s board meeting.

“Egg wars” is an unsanctioned event that usually occurs during Spirit Week, which is slated to happen from Sept. 26 to 30, where Paly seniors and juniors throw eggs at each other in local neighborhoods.“Egg wars”often causes property damage according to Associated Student Body director Steven Gallagher who said Paly had to pay “thousands of dollars in damages” as a result of the event, in a Paly Voice article published last year.

Austin’s statements about the district’s stance on “egg wars” took place as part of a larger conversation about Paly student behavior after the Paly-Gunn football game last Friday, Sept. 9, was ended prematurely when Paly students rushed into the Gunn student section.

“Purchasing stacks of eggs to throw at people, cars, homes or other objects is not a right and carries no immunity,” Austin said. “It is vandalism and contributes to a negative reputation.”

“Egg wars will be treated this year for what they are. They are not cute, they are not a right … This is not a debate.”

—Don Austin, PAUSD Superintendent

Austin also said that students in the past have felt that “their actions are granted immunity from any consequences” of “egg wars,” but that this year will be different. 

“They [“egg wars”] are not cute, they are not a right,” Austin said. “Our team will fully support any steps taken by the Paly administration to deter the destruction of our community and will also support any corrective measures if the event occurs. This is not a debate.”

Austin said he hopes the school district and the community can redeem themselves and move forward with a better reputation.

“With so much to celebrate and appreciate, I am looking forward to cleaning some things up, so we can realize our full potential as a school district and community,” Austin said. “I am equally aware that we have a lot of great students who want to make good decisions, unfortunately, the [bad] reputation just keeps getting more and more, … and we need to stop it.”