As the Morgan Hill School Board prepares to take a look at
recommendations for next year
’s budget, the district’s four music directors presented
trustees with three proposals to improve and protect the district’s
elementary school music program.
As the Morgan Hill School Board prepares to take a look at recommendations for next year’s budget, the district’s four music directors presented trustees with three proposals to improve and protect the district’s elementary school music program.
Trustees took their first look at recommendations from the performance-based budgeting committee during a recent meeting.
President Shellé Thomas said the budget process needs to be considered.
“We don’t know what our budget is,” she said. “What I wonder is how do we have a conversation where we’re all in same room together … There isn’t anybody up here (on the board) that can’t get behind you (the band directors). How do we develop that, do we need a music task force … I don’t know if that’s the vehicle we might have to go back to.”
District administrators next week will be working on the budget now that the governor’s office has updated its spending plan based on the May revise for anticipated income from state tax revenues.
During district budget cuts in past years, the program, which serves 1,950 fourth through sixth grade students, has been on the chopping block, but has been spared, sometimes with an 11th hour reprieve.
Total costs for the current program, according to Linda Mann, director of curriculum, are approximately $130,000 per year. The elementary school music costs include two teachers, their mileage and replacement costs for instruments.
Two years ago, booster clubs at the two middle schools and the Live Oak Emerald Regime Boosters contributed $26,000 to save the program.
The proposal, presented April 25 during a regular School Board meeting, was developed by Emerald Regime Director Greg Bergantz, Britton Middle School Director John Bremis, Martin Murphy Middle and Sobrato High Director Erik Kalish and elementary Director David Gabrielson.
“Our district is at a crossroads,” Bremis told trustees. “For 10 years now, Morgan Hill’s elementary music program has not met the needs of its students. This past term has been of particular concern. We are fooling ourselves to believe that two teachers can adequately provide instruction to all district fourth, fifth and sixth graders at our nine campuses.”
The music directors told trustees they believe parents want to see an improvement in the art programs for their children.
“It really boils down to how we prioritize our children’s education,” Bremis said. “Do we believe the research that proves music develops critical thinking skills, strengthens problem solving and promotes self-confidence and self-expression? Or, are we so caught up in test mania that we are only concerned with API numbers and growth indexes?”
Trustee Julia Hover-Smoot, who said she preferred option “ A,” asked how the board could incorporate the proposals into the performance-based budget process. Deputy Superintendent Bonnie Tognazzini, who leads the business services department, said the budget committee has been meeting and reviewing program packages.
Trustee Don Moody, who, along with his wife, Sandy, have a long history of involvement with district music, wanted to know how trustees could advocate for the directors’ proposal.
“Time is of the essence,” Moody said. “These gentlemen have put together several different proposals. Does theirs go into the pot with everything else? Do we have a say in which proposal is chosen?
“I’m new to the budget process,” he said. “I feel comfortable that you say I will have a say.”
Superintendent Carolyn McKennan told board members there is a way to indicate their support of a proposal from the music directors.
“In this case, Linda Mann has a budget package which she has presented,” she said. “For future reference, if the board wished to establish music as a goal, say, ‘we want these programs and want these dollars set aside for those programs,’ and they’ll go to the top of the list.”
Seeking direction from the board, McKennan asked if the board was asking that all three proposals be presented to the budgeting committee.
Trustee Mike Hickey questioned the process.
“Do we then open it up for every (program), I mean will the PE department be coming in …,” he said.
“Certainly, it’s possible,” McKennan answered.
“I’m not a big fan of option “C” because it’s a pull-out program, not inclusive,” said Hover-Smoot. “ I would want it to be a universal program.”
Trustee Kathy Sullivan said the board needed more information about the budget.
“I’m certainly not going to sit here and say I don’t know the value of music education, but we don’t know the big picture,” she said.
“I’m an advocate for music,” said Trustee Amina Khemici. “I like option “ A,” too, but what I’d like to see happen is to talk to Linda and see about her plan, look at the budget and see where it fits in.”
Thomas said she had reservations about presenting all three proposals to the budget committee.
“I don’t like that we’re setting it up to compete against themselves,” she said. “I suppose we let it go forward into the budgeting process … At some point along the line, if we all feel this is a goal, we have to go back and look at how best to build the program.”
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at md****@mo*************.com or phoning (408) 779-4106, ext. 202.
