Committee asks full board to review wind-ensemble piece tied to Stonewall before May 18 concert

The Educational Services Committee of the Watertown Unified School District on Wednesday agreed to refer a disputed wind-ensemble selection to the full board for further review and to schedule a special meeting before the May 18 spring concert.

Reed, the district music instructor, told the committee the students have so far received only the sheet music and recordings and that there has been no classroom discussion of the composer’s intent. Reed said the piece was selected because it met curricular learning targets and difficulty levels and because he seeks varied repertoire "so that I've got a great chance of hooking at least every student up with one piece of music that means something or resonates with them." Reed also said three students had requested alternate material and that two have since resumed learning the piece; one student continues to opt out and will be offered an alternate individual assessment.

Some committee members said the music’s stated inspiration -- the Stonewall uprising -- and references in the program materials raised concerns about whether the selection amounted to a political celebration rather than a neutral historical or musical study. One member said the piece "celebrates Marsha Johnson" and expressed concern about assigning a grade tied to participation unless students opt out. Reed responded that he followed the district’s controversial-issues policy, offered opt-outs and alternatives, and had not presented the historical context in class.

Chair said the committee should not make a final decision without full-board input and recommended a special meeting next week to allow the full board to discuss whether the piece should remain on the program and how any change would be communicated to students and families. Committee members agreed and recorded the referral as an action item to be placed on a special full-board agenda.

The committee also requested that, if a decision is made to remove the piece, a board representative visit the classroom to explain the change to students; Reed asked the board to recognize that district policy had been followed when the selection was made. The special meeting was described as an expedited path so any change could be communicated before the concert.

The committee did not take a formal vote to adopt or block the piece; instead, it postponed a final decision and referred the matter to the full board for action. The full board is expected to meet next week to consider the selection and the communication plan.