Wise Co. consoladating band programs?

**TheBeast** · July 2nd, 2007, 03:40 PM

You could still tear down 90% of the building since all you would be using is the gym and cafeteria and auditorium if there is one. At Coeburn none of that would be necessary with the new middle school gym going in now and the auditorium is there anyway.

**beamer_ball** · July 24th, 2007, 12:44 AM

http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tr...7-24-0007.html
Parents object to merging band directors

Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 12:00 AM
BY Kathy Still
Staff Writer

The School Board's decision last month for some Wise County high schools to share band directors hit a sour note with parents Monday night.
The decision was flawed and could lead to the elimination of fine arts programs, some band parents said. Some decried the move as another back-door action toward consolidating the county's six small high schools.
It took nearly two hours of debate and discussion before the board voted, after wrangling with procedural rules, to rethink last month's vote. The motion to reconsider came from board member Mark Hutchinson.
"There has been some error made here,"? board member Monty Salyer said. "?I think we need to back up and punt. We made some error here. I regret that."?
In a split vote last month, the board voted to have J.J. Kelly and Pound high schools share one director, while St. Paul and Coeburn high schools would share another.
The reasons given by administrators was that it was difficult to hire band directors, high school band participation has dropped in some schools and local resources must be used in the most practical way.
But many parents had a different view.
"I'm sure that this is probably a step toward consolidation,"? Sandra Austin, a Pound band booster, said as she urged the board to be frank if that is the case.
""?If this is trying to sneak in consolidation, you're going about it the wrong way,"? Pound booster Greta Bolling added.
Some parents and residents said band directors steer clear of Wise County given the job insecurity with the looming consolidation issue and band programs on the decline for various reasons.
Marlene Bush, an Appalachia resident, said a band director who split time at two high schools would face a challenge such as which band to be with on a football Friday night.
"Who is going to decide which school is more important?"? she asked. "I wouldn't want that job."?
Ariel Dingus warned that doing away with music and band could be a mistake. Dickenson County let it happen, she said.
"I was the last drum major at Clintwood High School,"? she said. "I graduated in 2004."?
Band, especially marching band, teaches children to lead and take responsibility, she said. A music education is valuable, she added.
"Help these students make music,"? she urged.
After the public input, Hutchinson made a motion that called for the hiring of band directors at each high school. The motion also called for administrators to look at creative ways to increase band participation and for each band program to be evaluated in about three years.
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**imported_elp6n** · July 24th, 2007, 08:34 AM

This decision probably wasn't made with the notion that everyone was going to be fine and dandy with it. I can understand why many would be upset. Anytime there's a change in directors it's upsetting to band students.

I was a 12-year band geek (started at Pound too) and still very much support the arts and would never want music removed from the schools. However, the state of the schools and the programs have led to this change being a viable one.

They can take this change and make the most of it. If they consolidate shows they can do so much more. A 46 member band can "do" more than a 6 member band. There are many more options with increased numbers.

(and of course Marlene Bush had to give her 2 cents worth - even though Appy isn't one of the affected schools)

**Widespread_Panic** · July 24th, 2007, 01:34 PM

So Hutchinson wants to hire two new band directors to teach classes of 6 students each semester as well as get an additional supplement to direct a band of give or take 25 students? Where do I sign up for this gig? I thought the school board was complaining about the lack of money they have but they seem to be willing to throw it away as long as any move towards consolidation is stopped.

**aphrodite4ever** · July 24th, 2007, 09:08 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
(and of course Marlene Bush had to give her 2 cents worth - even though Appy isn't one of the affected schools) </div></div>

Who cares if Marlene did say something? Had it been Mr. John Doe Smith from Northern Virginia saying something about it everyone would agree, but no just because Marlene trys to stand up for the schools, not just her own, every one has to jump on her or make some snide comment about it.

By the way everyone that wants to keep the band teachers full time, there is a petition at the wildcat gas station that the parents have put out and lots of people have signed if anyone is interested in stopping in and signing it.

**imported_elp6n** · July 24th, 2007, 09:20 PM

Petitions mean nothing. It's not a vote on the matter. Petitions don't change anything. The school board already knows what the public opinion on the matter is, so receiving a petition wouldn't exactly be a newsflash.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Who cares if Marlene did say something? Had it been Mr. John Doe Smith from Northern Virginia saying something about it everyone would agree, but no just because Marlene trys to stand up for the schools, not just her own, every one has to jump on her or make some snide comment about it.</div></div>
She wants to make sure HER school stays so HER school wont have to be mixed with those horrible other schools, but now she's defending other schools. She just likes to complain about anything the school board does. That's her hobby. Go to some school board meetings and watch her in action.

**aphrodite4ever** · July 24th, 2007, 09:26 PM

Maybe not but it helps to give them a more accurate idea of how many people really do not want this as opposed to how many do.

**aphrodite4ever** · July 24th, 2007, 09:26 PM

I have been to several school board meetings.

**imported_elp6n** · July 24th, 2007, 09:27 PM

Haven't seen you when they're broadcast on tv.

**aphrodite4ever** · July 24th, 2007, 09:27 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">She wants to make sure HER school stays so HER school wont have to be mixed with those horrible other schools, but now she's defending other schools. She just likes to complain about anything the school board does. That's her hobby. Go to some school board meetings and watch her in action. </div></div>

And if her school is not involved in this whole band mess then why would she care? Since you make it out like she only cares about Appy.