For Immediate Release:
May 17, 2026
Contact:
Laurie Hoffmann
Board President
Watertown Unified School District
Email: hoffmannl@mywusd.org
Watertown School Board Removes Song from Concert for Violating Controversial Issues Policy
It is the responsibility of a public school to provide a strong, values-neutral education to all students. As the encouragement of social violence continues to rise across the country, the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education stands firm on the principle that it is not the place of a public school to endorse or celebrate acts of violence.
When concerned parents brought the upcoming performance of “A Mother of a Revolution” to public attention, the full board examined the situation to determine whether any violation of policy had occurred.
The district’s controversial issues policy is clear: use of controversial issues is permitted, but only if it does not “tend to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view.” According to the composer, the piece, “A Mother of a Revolution” was commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, a six-day riot which included the beating of police officers and attempting to burn down a building with human beings trapped inside.
Based on the teachers’ 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.
The Watertown School Board remains committed to providing academic education free from indoctrination.
Thank you,
Laurie Hoffmann
Board President
Watertown Unified School District