More than 250 residents packed a recent Owosso School Board meeting on Wednesday, May 27, most of them to support School Board President Shelly Ochodnicky after calls for her removal erupted following comments she made during a city council meeting. Ochodnicky had urged the city to consider moving a drag performance at the festival to an adults-only venue rather than holding it at a public event attended by children.

Board stands behind president despite calls for removal.

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According to statements made during the most recent meeting, school board members indicated they have no plans to remove Ochodnicky from either the board (which they can’t do because she is elected) or her leadership position as president. Many who have spoken in opposition to Ochodnicky argued that her views were discriminatory or hateful and said she should not be given a platform to express them, while at the same time urging unconditional acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

“Family-focused” event programming.

Owosso’s “Pride in the Park” event advertises itself as “family friendly fun” and appears to target children through attractions such as music, balloons, live performances, bubbles, face painting and more.

The show will go on.

For now, despite mounting public debate and packed meetings, the city appears to be staying the course as the Pride festival approaches. City officials have maintained that the event can proceed under existing laws as long as no genitalia is shown during the events. Critics, however, continue to question whether performances involving “tipping” drag performers or other adult-themed activities are appropriate in settings where children are present.