Klarinet Archive - Posting 000577.txt from 2002/10

From: b5w@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: [kl] More about school budgets
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 04:24:10 -0400

I'm posting this only because I think it's useful to share case
histories. I know that music budgets are limited, but I didn't realize
how widespread or "terminal" the problem has become:

==============

An article in the local news paper quoted a school board member who said
that all instrumental music programs at the elementary level will "most
likely" be eliminated from all elementary school budgets in our area
next year because of budget shortfalls.

(This school board member is also president of a local foundation that
is trying to create a private endowment to keep the programs in
operation, so she's clearly in favor of music instruction, not against
it.)

Currently, for grades 4 through 6, our elementary district is spending
$200,000 to offer 30 minutes per week of instrumental instruction to 650
students. (Quick math: $30 per student per year) There is a waiting
list for entry into this program of 60-100 students.

My thought: for $30/year, how can a parent not be willing to pay their
share? This amounts to six or seven meals at MacDonald's or Taco Bell
_during an entire year_.

The news paper says that no hard statistics are available but that our
district is one of the few elementary (not secondary) instrumental music
programs in California that is still funded by public funds. Most
elementary programs in California are (allegedly) funded by PTAs and
private foundations. I know for a fact that my teacher is paid by the
PTA of a local school, not by the school district, to teach an
assortment of wind instruments to elementary kids, and there is no other
instrumental instruction at this particular school. (It's a kick to
watch those 'wind band munchkins' at the Christmas parade, etc.)

At one budget meeting, a lady listed the daily events that depend on
music. When you hear the list, item by item, and when you try to
imagine experiencing everything on the list without music, it does make
an impression --- weddings and religious services, movies and
television, dances, parades, the radio in your car, concerts and shows,
waiting 'on hold' on the telephone, military ceremonies, graduations
with speeches but no music.....

Well, I suppose poetry readings wouldn't be affected.... perhaps poetry
could keep all of us satisfied?

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