San Jose school board member sings holiday gun tune again

"Brian Wheatley, who has served on the San Jose Unified School District school board since 2019 and is currently vice president, apologized for his behavior at the Reed Elementary School winter concert early December and assured the school's principal, Jennifer Ponzio, that his lapse in judgment would not happen again. Ponzio had told families in an emailed apology that Wheatley requested to sing the unplanned song, and she intervened after 30 seconds and stopped him."

"In an effort to bring levity and humor, I shared verses that were inappropriate, and I'm truly sorry for any disruption or distress this may have caused students, staff or families, Wheatley wrote to Ponzio. Moving forward, I will be more deliberate and thoughtful in every school setting to ensure my actions reflect our shared commitment to student safety and well-being."

"Then, Wheatley, whose term expires next December, posted a video of himself singing the song again on his Facebook and YouTube pages. Posting this silly Rudolph spoof because I've been in the news lately, Wheatley wrote on social media. I ask forgiveness from those hurt by my actions. I showed a lapse in judgment by inserting myself into what should've been a joyous sing-along and sharing this particular song given the current political reality."

Brian Wheatley, a San Jose Unified School District board member and current vice president, sang a parody with gun references at Reed Elementary's winter concert in early December and apologized to Principal Jennifer Ponzio. Ponzio told families she intervened and stopped him after about 30 seconds after he requested to sing an unplanned song. Wheatley wrote that he intended levity but shared inappropriate verses and expressed sorrow for any disruption to students, staff or families, pledging to be more deliberate in school settings. Days later he posted a video on Facebook and YouTube singing the same Rudolph spoof, asked for forgiveness, and said he has learned from the experience.

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