EDITOR: Despite the stated wishes of a majority of parents and teachers in the Jefferson School District, the Board of Trustees has recommended cutting the music program that encompasses the first five years of district students' education.
The board members chose to not even consider a viable solution that was offered which could have funded the music program in addition to several other programs. That solution was the hiring of a grant writer that would have dedicated time to finding and pursuing grant opportunities that exist specifically for the benefit of students. Instead, a solution was offered that effectively asked parents to dig even deeper into their pockets than Mello-Roos taxes have already dug. This was the creative solution considered by the Board in lieu of the consideration of a grant consultant that, if successful, would more than pay for itself. My children already know how to ask Mommy and Daddy for more money. It appears that perhaps the creative well may be running dry.
Board president R.G. Fagin suggested that all parents were doing was complaining, and that it would be better if we all pulled the wagon in the same direction. The backward and closed-minded mentality that was displayed by such comments given the reality of our efforts, and by this decision without consideration of a viable alternative, may not be the best of mindsets to govern a growing community of forward-thinkers.
Other board members were quoted as saying it would be fiscally irresponsible to not make these cuts. In my opinion, it is morally reprehensible to make such cuts, that steal from the children's future, without first exhausting all other options. A more politically correct word may be 'borrow' rather than 'steal', but I doubt that what will be taken from the children can be replaced.
The issue of class-size reduction is being used as a ploy by the Board to combat our efforts. No one questions the value or dedication to this effort. Nor is anyone looking to cut funds toward it.
The remedies to the budget crisis – reduce spending and/or increase revenues. The Board has chosen 'or'.
Analysis of the current and proposed budgets shows a pattern of reliance solely on increased revenue from growth of the tax base. There is no active pursuit of additional funding sources. Perhaps it is time for some of these board members to hop into said wagon and ride off into the sunset… Like the covered wagon, their time has come and gone.
The Web site www.musicforjefferson.org includes research clearly stating the benefits of music education at an early age, as well as a petition supporting the consideration of alternatives to cutting the music program. I urge you all to take a look.
Dan Wells
Tracy