About 25 Octorara Area School District parents and junior high school students, carrying signs such as “Jazz Band Rox” in support of the district’s music program, held a show of support in front of the school board Monday.
The community members were organized by band parent Jamie Maurer who said she was concerned about possible music department staffing changes and said she wanted for parents to be part of the conversation about the music program.
Superintendent Tom Newcome assured the parents there was no reason for alarm, and that while the school district has had to reduce its teaching staff by an overall 12 percent due to budget cuts, the music staff has lost only about one-third of a position.
Newcome said it was “unfortunate” that emails warning about a potential reduction in music instruction and concerts and encouraging children to demonstrate at the board meeting circulated throughout the Octorara band community without solid facts. Two parents asked questions, and none of the students spoke during public comment.
“It’s a non-issue that had not been fully vetted at the appropriate levels,” Newcome said. “It’s amazing how fast things go down the path.”
During the meeting Newcome explained administrators are currently working on the fall instructional schedule. He also displayed the schedule of a teacher who had apparently emailed band parents about his scheduling concerns to show how administrators have allowed for instruction time.
“We’re planning to offer almost the exact same experience as we have in the past,” Newcome said. “I do not see any significant change. Fine tuning the schedule is part of what we do in the summer.”
Middle school Principal Elena Wilson said band is being scheduled as a class which should enhance music instruction. She said scheduling and curriculum updates are being posted on the school Web site as they are finalized.
Board President Lisa Bowman told parents it was great to see the passion and care parents have for their children and district programs.
In other business, the school board approved a contract with Sports Care LLC, for up to 1,000 hours of athletic training services at $30 per hour during the 2011-12 school year. The company is a new venture for Jim Weagley, an athletic trainer who was furloughed as district athletic director during spring budget cuts. Newcome said it is standard for the district to have an athletic trainer available, and Weagley’s experience will be an advantage to the school district.
In personnel matters the school board hired Ryne Anthony as a seventh and eighth grade science teacher at a $46,914 salary; accepted with regret the resignation of Wanda Lapp as middle school student council advisor and seventh and eighth grade variety show director; and accepted with regret the resignations of John Cummings as varsity girls softball coach, and Steve Landis as assistant coach to the girls team.
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