By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

There was hardly anyone not with the media or working for the Chandler Unified School District at the CUSD Governing Board’s July 12 meeting.

Wednesday, however, it was standing-room-only in the CUSD boardroom. Many were there to talk about one board member: Patti Serrano.

Serrano, a board member elected a year ago, acknowledged the ongoing violence and death happening in the Gaza region in a tearful statement made toward the end of the board’s Oct. 18 meeting, offering support for students who might need it. She also serves as the East Valley / Gilbert / Mesa coordinator for the Progressive Democrats of America, which has supported both censured U.S. Rep Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and a cease-fire in Gaza.

Thirty speakers were each given one minute each during public input of Wednesday’s CUSD board meeting. A handful were there to call for Serrano’s resignation for what they said is support of Hamas and genocide.

However, dozens of Arizonans, having got wind of the movement against Serrano, voiced support for the board member at the meeting.

The voices ranged from Dan O’Neal, Arizona coordinator for the Progressive Democrats, to high school students, most offering praise for Serrano.

A few tried to separate support for peace from taking sides in any past or present conflict in the Middle East. Some were from distant parts of the Valley, but others had strong ties to CUSD and/or Chandler.

A woman who identified herself only as Jameela said she’s a Palestinian mother with three children in CUSD schools and an aunt to four more CUSD nieces.

“It’s so important for educators to see us — really see us,” she said. “As a people seen and understood and worthy of a quality education. Patti represents the diversity we need here in Chandler.”

Charlotte Golla, who ran against Serrano and others in the 2022 board election, was among only about six people calling for the resignation during public input.

“Oct. 7 set ablaze a fire of anti-antisemitism throughout the world, that you can hear out there,” Golla said, gesturing toward the loud overflow crowd of Serrano supporters outside the boardroom. “And Patti Serrano chose to pour gasoline on that fire by sending out an email inviting members (of Progressive Democrats of America) to hear Tlaib speak at ASU. This was after Tlaib was censured for posting a ‘from the river to the sea’ video about eradicating Israel. She clearly took sides. That’s reckless for a school board member to do.”

Golla and others calling for the resignation drew a smattering of applause.

Some Serrano supporters brought signs or posters with slogans. There was plenty of shouting, even as the most basic of facts about the Gaza conflict were stated. At one point, Board President Jason Olive warned one meeting-goer that repeated conversation with someone would result in them being removed from the meeting by police.

At the end of the meeting, which included several other complex board financial actions, Serrano spoke at length, acknowledged the praise and support but said her stance on wanting peace and for children to be safe shouldn’t amount to taking a side.

“As a representative in our community, I am determined to hold us accountable in shaping and maintaining schools that are welcoming to all of our students, so that they may reach their full potential, regardless of religion, ethnicity, culture or language,” Serrano said. “My sorrow, sympathy and grief shared at our Oct. 18 meeting, for and with our Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Arab impacted communities remains — and is of no controversy.”

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.  Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Activist and advocate Melissa Galarza speaks at Wednesday’s Chandler Unified School District at the CUSD Governing Board meeting. Thirty speakers all spoke about board member Patti Serrano, with most defending her statements related to the conflict in Gaza and Serrano’s overall effectiveness as a CUSD board member.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.