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Board hears sharply worded public comments over recent student walkouts
Summary
At its Feb. 23 meeting the Glendora Unified board heard polarized public comments about recent student walkouts: a parent strongly defended the protesters, another resident urged more civic instruction and a student speaker warned against dismissing student activism.
At the Feb. 23 Glendora Unified School District board meeting, three public speakers delivered sharply divergent views on recent student walkouts, putting student protest conduct and district responses at the center of public scrutiny.
Steve Rodriguez, a parent, framed the student protests as morally necessary and used forceful language to condemn community critics. “You should resign,” Rodriguez said directly to a named local critic, and accused opponents of failing to support young people who protested immigration enforcement operations. His remarks included repeated personal attacks and drew an audible reaction from the room.
Sarah Baron, a community member who said she was reflecting a broader local sentiment, pushed back on the characterization of the walkouts as purely protected speech. Citing state guidance, Baron told the board that some conduct — “fighting words, true threats, harassment, and speech that incites an immediate breach of the peace” — may fall outside First Amendment protections and referenced California Education Code 48907 and SB955 when describing community concern that off-campus protest behavior may not be fully protected.
“I think many in our community were appalled, incredulous, dismayed and disappointed,” Baron said, urging the district to pair civic action with classroom instruction on what speech is protected and how students can pursue civic change through lawful channels.
A Glendora High School student, Ana Dillinger, told trustees the debate team faces an immediate risk of closure because it lacks a paid coach and sustainable funding, and appealed for a short-term financial boost and policy changes to make it easier for teachers to serve as club advisers. “I am begging this board for some sort of financial support and a policy change that will make it easier for teachers to become club advisers,” Dillinger said.
Trustees responded to the speakers by thanking them for participating and asking the students and community members to return with specific requests. Trustee Garcia said the board would like more detail about debate’s needs so it can explore options. Trustees also suggested the team seek local sponsor and service-club support while the board examines district options.
No formal action on the protest issue or on the debate team funding was taken at the meeting; board members requested follow-up and additional information from the speakers and district staff.
What happens next: Board members asked the speakers — particularly the student representatives — to provide specifics on funding amounts and any requested policy language so the board can consider options at a future meeting.
