By Chris Campbell
Contributing Writer
4/10/08
Art and music programs for children in kindergarten through eighth grades could be cut unless the School Committee can find funds to keep the programs, school officials say.
The School Committee, at its April 1 meeting, made it clear that the programs would be cut if the town did not approve an override and allow for further property tax increases.
Most of the approximately 30 parents attending the meeting strongly objected to the potential cuts. Some expressed anger and frustration about the budget situation, and students who attended spoke about the importance of the programs to them.
School Consolidation
Superintendent Magdalene Giffune again proposed consolidating the elementary schools and eliminating the neighborhood school concept as a way to save money, though it is unclear if the change would save the art and music programs. Under Giffune’s proposal, students would be moved to different schools according to grade in order to maximize classroom efficiencies. Consolidation is being considered to keep class sizes down after the elimination of teachers last year and this year’s potential layoffs that include six high school teachers, five middle school teachers and five elementary school teachers.
Giffune says consolidation is the only option.
“Quite frankly, you don’t really have a choice. You’re facing decimation; we’re talking about trying to save half of a fine arts program. We’ve done all the cutting around the edges,” she says. “You need to restructure…you’re not going to recover in one or two years. You’re in it for the long haul.”
Giffune first proposed consolidating the schools
in her initial budget proposal that was rejected by
the School Committee recently. She also favored
consolidation during last year’s student assignment debate, which retained the neighborhood schools model.
Some parents are not happy with the idea of moving their children to different schools. One parent who spoke moved to the Glover neighborhood so that he could send his child to the school there but was disappointed because the proposal threatens his child’s chances of attending Glover.
Another concern was that school children might lose the sense of community that comes with neighborhood schools.
However, many parents at the meeting were willing to go along with the consolidation proposal if it could save art and music.
Art and Music Cuts
Karen Friedman-Hanna, director of Friends of Art and Music Education (FAME), believes that cutting art and music could diminish the value of the school system and prevent students from being accepted to some colleges.
“A well-rounded education is what sets us apart. We have a remarkable program that we are about to destroy,” says Friedman-Hanna.
Many who attended say art and music classes help non-athletic children who don’t have the chance to be part of a team develop crucial social skills that they will use throughout their lives. Many students who may struggle in areas such as math and English may excel in the music or the arts.
“My daughter has found her future in the excellence of the music program,” says Joan Faulkner.
Others are concerned about the quality of life for children who are not exposed to these areas until they hit high school and the potential permanency of the cuts.
“Trying to fix the system after this has happened is going to be impossible,” says parent Thomas Buchau.
Budgetary Issues
The frequency of overrides was a subject discussed as well. Parents say they are beginning to see a trend with the School Committee.
“Inflation is 2.5 percent or more, we have to be efficient, unless we are frequently having overrides we will consistently fall behind,” says parent Natalie McKnight.
Catherine Reddington and Earl Fay say they wish the committee would be more thorough and transparent with the budget.
“If faced with an override, I’ll vote no,” says Fay, adding that foreclosure rates are too high to risk raising taxes for lower-income families.
Both Reddington and Fay say the School Committee needs to provide more detailed reports on expenses such as energy and the French Immersion program to prevent future budgetary problems.
Beirne Lovely, the School Committee chair, says that money-saving solutions have or are being tried, and that cutting art and music is a last resort.
Many other ways to save money have already been attempted, including cutting administrators, minimizing busing costs, cutting funding for school supplies and laying-off custodians and teachers. The committee even considered shortening the school day, but is restricted from doing so by law.