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INDUSTRY - Tension surrounding Hacienda La Puente Unified's plans for a Confucius Classroom accelerated Thursday night as vocal opponents of the Chinese government-funded program threatened a recall and one board member has secured a lawyer to protect himself from slanderous comments.

Following a 4-1 vote in January, a group of opponents have spoken at nearly every board meeting in an effort to persuade board members to abandon the Chinese language and culture program, funded by the Chinese Language Council International, or Hanban.

Board members Thursday delayed a vote on an agreement to partner with a Chinese university to develop the Confucius Classroom at Cedarlane Middle School. According to the agreement, Yunnan Normal University would provide guidance, study abroad opportunities, books and reference materials to the Chinese language and culture elective class. In addition, two university representatives would serve on an advisory board for the program, also made up of district administrators, parents and teachers.

Opponents continued to assail the program at the school board meeting Thursday, arguing the district is inviting communism into the classroom.

"This is not about race," said Teresa Macias. "Those who oppose the Confucius Classroom are not racist, we are Americans against communism."

Following several comments made at previous board meetings insinuating a darker agenda for his trips to China, board member Norman

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Hsu said he has retained legal council to protect his privacy.

"I will take legal action against any individual or organization making defamatory comments against me," Hsu said before public comment.

One parent called Hsu's comments a scare tactic and threatened to try to remove board members who support the elective class.

"I hope that when we start a recall, you will join us and that will be very soon," Manuel Maldonado, a district parent, told the audience.

Rudy Obad, a World War II veteran, questioned the amount of money the school district spent on trips to China. He also said board members were inviting Communism into the classroom.

"I think we might have some communist here in this room," he said.

More than once, Hacienda La Puente Superintendent Barbara Nakaoka cautioned audience members in making accusations against board members and reiterated board policy that individuals would be removed for disruptive behavior. An extra uniformed district police officer was also on hand.

Student supporters also voiced their opinions and one former district teacher became emotional over some of the comments made by those who oppose the program.

"I really feel like why are we talking about this like we're at war with China," said Tina Tsai, a former Cedarlane educator. "If you keep pushing this you're passing on something that is antagonistic for the next generation."

As board members made their final comments, board member Jay Chen sought to address some of the concerns from community members, who said China was targeting the school district. Officials said no instructors from the nation would be in the classroom.

"China is not targeting our school district, we're not even the first district to bring this program here," he said.

Nakaoka said the board may vote on the partnership between Cedarlane and the Chinese university next month.

maritza.velazquez@sgvn.com

626-962-8811, ext. 2718