WATERTOWN \u2014 At the same time the Watertown High School Wind Symphony took the stage Monday night, the school board that decided to ban one of its songs held a regularly scheduled meeting of its own.<\/p>\n
Last Tuesday, the board voted 7-1 to ban a song called \u2018A Mother of a Revolution. The composer says the instrumental piece was inspired by a trans woman who was an agitator during the 1969 Stonewall riots.<\/p>\n
WATCH: Watertown School Board silent on song controversy at latest meeting<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Watertown School Board silent on song controversy at latest meeting<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n During a three-hour school board meeting on Monday, the board didn\u2019t say a word about the controversy. Instead, attendees were referred to the board president\u2019s news release that explained the board\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n TMJ4<\/p>\n<\/div> A vast majority of those who spoke during public comment scolded board members, while one man spoke in support of the board\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n “The whole country has seen this board in its true colors,\u201d said a Watertown resident named David.<\/p>\n “Allow our teachers to teach without oversight from the board. Let them do their job,\u201d added former board member Dennis Randle.<\/p>\n “I spoke with the superintendent. She told me there were zero parental complaints,\u201d said Watertown parent Katie Vanderlinden.<\/p>\n “This is a perfect example of what everyone here ran on, which was ending indoctrination in radical curriculum,\u201d said Gene Schmidt, who supports the school board’s decision.<\/p>\n Around 50 parents, students, and community members showed up to hear from the board. The meeting room was packed to the point that some had to stand in the hallway.<\/p>\n Parents in attendance tell TMJ4 they were not surprised the board didn\u2019t speak about its decision to ban \u2018A Mother of a Revolution\u2019 since the issue wasn\u2019t a meeting agenda item.<\/p>\n The school board\u2019s written statement says in part, \u201cBased on the teachers\u2019 description, the lesson was intended to persuade students toward emotional alignment with the events of the Stonewall riot. Considering these factors, the board decided to remove the song from the concert due to its celebration of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n Board Treasurer Carl Schwarze told TMJ4 Investigative Reporter Ben Jordan to show up to the board meeting on Monday night to get a comment from him after declining our interview request on Friday.<\/p>\n TMJ4<\/p>\n<\/div> When Jordan approached Schwarze after the meeting, he once again denied TMJ4\u2019s interview request.<\/p>\n \u201cI changed my mind,\u201d Schwarze said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you change your mind?\u201d Jordan asked.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the statement was made by Lauri and I’m fine with that statement,\u201d Schwarze replied.<\/p>\n If any board member or the school superintendent wants to do an interview about this issue, TMJ4\u2019s offer still stands.<\/p>\n Let’s talk:<\/p>\n Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com\/tips. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n It\u2019s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24\/7 by searching for \u201cTMJ4\u201d on your device.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Report a typo or error<\/b><\/a> \/\/ Submit a news tip<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Ben](\"https:\/\/ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/43eee68\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/567x362+0+0\/resize\/567x362!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Fd9%2Fd48c33df4dd8944204a7544343af%2Fben-jordan-and-board-member-carl-schwarze.png\")
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