California school board members are facing significant scrutiny following a clash with their principal over students who walked out of classes last week to participate in protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During the Pajaro Valley School Board meeting, there was a mention of a potential curfew letter aimed at trustees regarding access to Pajaro Valley High School’s campus. It’s unclear which trustees were involved, but reports indicate that Trustee Gabe Medina was in the spotlight after confronting Principal Todd Wilson about threatening to tow students’ cars during the protests.
In a video shared on Instagram, Medina expressed his concerns about the principal’s alleged comments, stating, “For a principal to tell students they voted for Trump crosses a clear line.” He emphasized that threatening to tow vehicles for participating in protests infringes on students’ rights, thereby eroding trust. It’s important, he noted, for school leaders to remain politically neutral to protect students’ rights and cultural identities.
According to reports, Principal Wilson declared that Medina’s claims were “completely false,” asserting that school administrators were merely trying to keep students safe. Neither Medina nor Wilson responded to requests for comments.
The discussion of student protests intensified after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District issued a letter expressing concerns regarding students departing campus for protests. The board addressed Medina’s criticisms concerning the district’s stance, implying he played a role in promoting the students’ departure from school.
Pajaro Valley High School students had joined a nationwide walkout against ICE on January 30. What was initially planned as an on-campus meeting evolved into an off-campus gathering, leading some students to protest at a rally in Watsonville’s Civic Plaza.
The board contested accusations that they prevented students from participating in protests and labeled criticism of their actions as “student oppression.” They noted that what began as a collaborative effort ironically turned into a chaotic situation filled with assumptions and bias.
Additionally, the board stated they “cannot encourage students to leave campus,” stating that students were to be supported in organizing on-campus expressions instead. They voiced concerns over outside influences directing students off-campus during school hours, which ultimately diminished student engagement and educational impact.
Medina later clarified on Instagram that he did not instruct students to leave campus or organize a walkout. He mentioned witnessing students already rallying as he drove through Main Street, and that school staff had warned students about consequences if they left.
In his comments, Medina connected the conversation to the communication sent to staff that framed the protests as unauthorized and indicated students could face penalties for leaving classes. He questioned whether parents and students had been informed of their rights in this context.
Moreover, he highlighted California Senate Bill 955, which permits middle and high school students to have their absences excused for civic activities, such as protests, provided they notify the school beforehand.
