Music education cuts? from the GREEN blog 3.15.10

[brant]

From the Green

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To All,

First, let me apologize for sending this email to all of you, but to date, I've received 25 emails regarding "drastic cuts" to
District 204's excellent music program.

Thank you for your thoughtful and thought-provoking correspondence. Each of you has articulated a passion for our music program, which I feel, as well.

Some of you may know that I am a Waubonsie Valley alum. Music played a huge role in my high school years, and beyond.

In high school, I was a proud member of WVHS's Swing Choir; Senior Choir (I believe it's called Chamber Choir now); and I was a junior mentor for the Freshman Girl's Choir.

Beyond High School, I believe the diction, teamwork, etc. played a huge role in my success as a broadcast journalist.

I, personally, didn't play sports. Music and theater were my life, as I'm hearing that that's the case for many of you and/or your students, as well.

In that spirit, I want you to know that our administration IS NOT/WILL NOT "gut" our district's award-winning Fine Arts Program.

I applaud you for your passion. If I had heard the misinformation that you're hearing -- as I'm reading in your emails, I would be outraged, too.

Let me reassure you, however, that despite these difficult financial times, Fine Arts is much too valuable to our district's pride and identity for us to decimate the program.

I've personally watched our Fine Arts program grow to the heights it is today, over the past three decades. Yes. We, as a Board, are facing very difficult financial decisions, but it is NOT our intent to go backward.

The facts are these: The D204 administration has proposed the following regarding music:

* Reduce 5th grade band and orchestra staff by four (4) full time employees; and use the remaining band/orchestra employees more effectively and efficiently throughout our elementary school buildings.

* Continue middle school band and orchestra as is, but eliminate middle school technique classes (held one hour per week for two to four students at a time).

If you have heard about ANY District 204 music cuts beyond those two items, you have been misinformed.

These are the administration's ONLY recommendations regarding our district-wide music program.

The administration will make these recommendations to the Board on Monday night. The Board will then continue to listen to parents/taxpayers, and will make final decisions possibly by mid-April.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. I hope this information helps.

Warm regards,
Dawn DeSart
IPSD 204
Board of Education

[steckdad]

Mar 16, 2010 20:00:13 GMT -6 EagleDad said:

Mar 16, 2010 19:04:07 GMT -6 1whocares said:

I am new here. Therefore please forgive my thoughts for perhaps being somewhat simplistic.
I have always heard that when you are in a hole- first stop digging. Another piece of advice has been clean up your own mess before looking for help. If I am not mistaken, the All-Day Kidergarten costs $7M per year- I know the state is supposed to pay for alot of that cost but the state is NOT paying it's bills. Why on earth would 204 continue the ADK paying $7M (BTW recall 203 and nearly all other districts in the stae do NOT have ADK) when we are in such a dire financial situation that calls for cutting 145 teachers! It seems like common sense to return the 1/2 day kindergarten and save 75-80 teachers jobs. What am I missing? BTW IF the state somehow miraculously comes thru, restart ADK if you must.

1whocares, welcome, I like your chosen name. Don't let the locals turn you off, me included

You explanation is self-evident. It makes perfectly logical sense. I wish I could explain it myself, but I am baffled by many things this district does. I believe ADK should be stopped as one of the first measures.

I should also add I am not neutral on this as I have a son currently in ADK, placed there at duress of his mother who was basically forced into it (it was either that or ship him across the district every day). I am a fan of ADK myself (and felt my son was ready), but it is a luxury that must go under these circumstances, in my opinion.

My daughter went ADK last year...I thought it was good for her but I would get rid of it too rather than cut teachers if that was a viable option.

[rew]

I would cut alot of activity buses (probably not all)( but especially the self imposed extras to MV) and charge higher fees for extracurriculars,( I bought $60 worth of discount cards from NV/WV teams last week) or cut some extracurriculars, before I would cut teachers or ADK.

I am fine with cutting technique classes. If your kid is serious about an instrument, pay for lessons. I would cut ES band/orch...the kids can start in MS.

I would even cut field trips, unless they can be paid for by parents and/or PTA funding.

I would postpone replacing books and I would tell the district to stop chasing every new idea out there (how much have we heard about the great "dashboard" revolution recently??).

If staff needs to be cut, I would look at HCC and I would look at support services.

Are any of these cuts fun, NO, but we are in a no frills zone that must be accommodated

[lacy]

What is HCC?
Just curious.

[doctorwho]

Mar 18, 2010 7:56:24 GMT -6 lacy said:

What is HCC?
Just curious.

howie crouse center

[lacy]

Oh.....Definitely! Make some major cuts there!

[1whocares]

Given the past track record of this board and administration, I believe pushing back on cuts won't stop the Music dept train wreck. I think the board would be more receptive to an approach that told them the parents WANT to keep the music dept/program AS IS. Has anyone seen this post from the Facebook page?
"As someone who cares deeply for the 204 Music program, I did a little calculation. As I understand it, there are ~ 29000 students in 204. The admin. says they need to reduce staff costs by $12.2M (145 teachers). Of the 145 teachers, 20 come from the music department. This means each teacher costs the district ~$80,000.
To keep the music dept whole would require ~$57 per student. That is a little more than a one hour private lesson would cost. If we get signed petition saying we the petitioners would pay the increased fee, I believe the board would proably take that step. " Thoughts?

[lacy]

Mar 18, 2010 9:13:22 GMT -6 1whocares said:

Given the past track record of this board and administration, I believe pushing back on cuts won't stop the Music dept train wreck. I think the board would be more receptive to an approach that told them the parents WANT to keep the music dept/program AS IS. Has anyone seen this post from the Facebook page?
"As someone who cares deeply for the 204 Music program, I did a little calculation. As I understand it, there are ~ 29000 students in 204. The admin. says they need to reduce staff costs by $12.2M (145 teachers). Of the 145 teachers, 20 come from the music department. This means each teacher costs the district ~$80,000.
To keep the music dept whole would require ~$57 per student. That is a little more than a one hour private lesson would cost. If we get signed petition saying we the petitioners would pay the increased fee, I believe the board would proably take that step. " Thoughts?

The music program is great. But I wouldn't consider cutting technique at the middle school level a "train wreck".

I think the district needs to keep the focus on academics. Unfortunately, that means extra-curriculars may be affected. That's only prudent.

[friend]

Any child that participates in the band or orchestra program receives a letter grade for that class, so music is NOT a extra-curricular activity.

Is the sports program getting cuts equal to the music program? Do the kids who participate in sports get a letter grade?

Bottom line.......ANY cuts will impact your wallet wether you pay for it via taxes or private lessons beacuse your local school can not provide it for you.

[doctorwho]

Mar 18, 2010 20:16:33 GMT -6 friend said:

Any child that participates in the band or orchestra program receives a letter grade for that class, so music is NOT a extra-curricular activity.

Is the sports program getting cuts equal to the music program? Do the kids who participate in sports get a letter grade?

Bottom line.......ANY cuts will impact your wallet wether you pay for it via taxes or private lessons beacuse your local school can not provide it for you.

also for some kids they will lose their only opportunity to be exposed to either sports,or music, or art etc..
No letter grade for sports I am aware of - which is ironic because some college varsity athletes do get a 1 hour credit for the semester they play their sport.

Either way the kids are losing because of mismanagement of funds

[lacy]

Mar 18, 2010 20:16:33 GMT -6 friend said:

Any child that participates in the band or orchestra program receives a letter grade for that class, so music is NOT a extra-curricular activity.

Is the sports program getting cuts equal to the music program? Do the kids who participate in sports get a letter grade?

Bottom line.......ANY cuts will impact your wallet wether you pay for it via taxes or private lessons beacuse your local school can not provide it for you.

You're right - it's an elective. But it's not a core academic course.

I think the parents need to provide the private instruction if needed/wanted - or do it before or after school. They're not cutting the program, just the technique class.

The school district can't provide everything for our kids. And I think they need to focus on core academics by not increasing class sizes beyond a manageable amount and retaining as many teachers in core academic areas as possible.

Beyond that, I don't think it's a bad idea for parents to pony up for their kids other activities. Kids whose parents can't afford that could apply for aid so opportunities aren't lost for them.

And sadly, Dr. Who is right. If the district hadn't mismanaged our money, we wouldn't be in this situation.

[Arch]

Your child will get far better instruction from private lessons than they ever will from technique class in school.

If you're lucky, you'll find someone who will actually TEACH them HOW to do their instrument properly... not just make the sounds.

[blankcheck]

Ahhh...I can hear those recorders now:)

[refbasics]

FROM asmodeus on GREEN BLOG:


.."Interesting. To summarize your views:

1. ADK was intended only for a handful of kids.
2. ADK is a pointless endeavor for kids who have support at home.

I think you'll find yourself in the tiny minority on those thoughts."
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My take on ADK is that it should have started out as an enrichment program for the kids who really needed it to come up to par with kids who are up to speed with 1/2 day K.

there are programs that are a necessity in the district, and programs that would be 'nice' to have (when times are good)... ADK would be a necessity for the kids who really need it.

our district likes to tout how 'diverse' it is... when it is a positive thing... but doesn't want to face the fact that some students are not getting support from their parents, and are not up to speed to take advantage of what our district has to offer when they come to school... and are forever playing 'catch up'.

[slp]

Mar 19, 2010 5:11:22 GMT -6 lacy said:

Mar 18, 2010 20:16:33 GMT -6 friend said:

Any child that participates in the band or orchestra program receives a letter grade for that class, so music is NOT a extra-curricular activity.

Is the sports program getting cuts equal to the music program? Do the kids who participate in sports get a letter grade?

Bottom line.......ANY cuts will impact your wallet wether you pay for it via taxes or private lessons beacuse your local school can not provide it for you.

You're right - it's an elective. But it's not a core academic course.

I think the parents need to provide the private instruction if needed/wanted - or do it before or after school. They're not cutting the program, just the technique class.

The school district can't provide everything for our kids. And I think they need to focus on core academics by not increasing class sizes beyond a manageable amount and retaining as many teachers in core academic areas as possible.

Beyond that, I don't think it's a bad idea for parents to pony up for their kids other activities. Kids whose parents can't afford that could apply for aid so opportunities aren't lost for them.

And sadly, Dr. Who is right. If the district hadn't mismanaged our money, we wouldn't be in this situation.

I agree with Lacy.

We know what our district was like before ADK and I think it is an acceptable alternative to eliminate ADK as opposed to other areas of study/music/sports for the higher grades.