I am sharing the following in hopes that others will read this and be thinking of, praying for, and fighting for the teachers and students of BISD. This was written by Fred Turner: Dear Friends, By now, I am sure you have heard of the drastic teacher cuts that are proposed by the Beaumont Independent School District. All departments saw cuts, but Fine Arts/Foreign Language seem to be hit the hardest. Orchestra programs throughout the district will be eliminated. Ozen High School, which is currently the Fine Arts Magnet for the district will be gutted, leaving only band, and possibly art. Much the same at Central Medical Magnet High School. Proposed cuts at West Brook High School include Art teachers, Theater Arts teachers, and one half of the Band staff of the districts largest Band program. It has been documented time and time again, that Fine Arts instruction not only increases standardized test scores by developing thinking skills, but also for the growth of the human spirit. Fine Arts instruction is not only essential, but required by state law. Objective 4 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) states: A well- balanced and appropriate curriculum will be provided to all students. Chapter 28 of the TEC states, “Each district shall ensure that all children in the district participate actively in a balanced curriculum designed to meet individual needs.” All the courses in the Required Curriculum, which includes Fine Arts, are necessary for a child to receive a well-balanced, meaningful education. The word “Required” in the TEC means that “each school district that offers kindergarten through grade 12 shall offer this curriculum.” Fine Arts courses are a part of the Enrichment Curriculum, a component of the Required Curriculum. By definition, enrich means “to make richer, to add greater value or significance.” It does not mean “extra,” “not necessary,” “elective,” or “optional.” These courses are an integral part of the educational process and in many cases are the courses that give meaning and substance to a child’s education and to his or her life. Under state law, all three graduation plans require one credit of fine arts for graduation. Fine Arts is defined as an “academic core component” in each of these plans. High schools must offer at least two of the four state-approved fine arts subjects (art, dance, music, theatre). In the 2006 MENC (Music Educators National Conference)Journal Of Music Education Research Report stated that, Students in high-quality school music programs score higher on standardized tests compared to students in schools with deficient music education programs, regardless of the socioeconomic level of the school or school district. Data from the College Board Profile of College Bound Seniors National Reports from 2006 - 2010 show that students enrolled in fine arts classes score between 11 to 13% higher on the SAT than students not enrolled in any Fine Arts classes. Year Students w/Fine Arts Instruction Students without Fine Arts 2006 1616 1436 2007 1612 1429 2008 1586 1434 2009 1597 1509 2010 1603 1509 Since we are talking primarily about dollars and sense (pun intended), look at the following case study about a school district who tried to save over $150,000 by cutting Band and Orchestra teachers but ended up spending much more. Reverse Economics 5.2 FTE Cut Projected savings - $156,000 In this district case study, the administration proposed the elimination of 5.2 FTE band and orchestra instructors to “save” $156,000. There were 2529 students (grades 4-12) involved in those two programs. Cuts would have necessitated the elimination of nearly 1,800 students the first year, requiring the addition of 6.4 FTE classroom teachers to replace the 5.2 FTE music performance teachers proposed for elimination. In other words, instead of saving $156,000, they would have been required to spend $192,000 the first year on replacement teachers with lesser FTE value. By year five, the annual budget miscalculation would have been $534,000. ($156,000 anticipated cut + $378,000 for 12.6 FTE replacement classroom teachers). This loss of student participation is based upon extensive national case studies that indicate the elimination of an elementary feeder system will cause a minimum 65% loss in student participation at the secondary level within two to four years. This is in part because no new elementary students will be started (in this case) until year three, and a similar amount of students will have been graduated. Source: The Advocate’s Plan, Dr. John L. Benham, SupportMusic.org You see, when you cut classes like Band, Orchestra, Dance that might have more than the 28-1 teacher-student ratio, you have to place those students somewhere requiring additional personnel. Speaking of personnel, one of the cuts proposed is to cut a band director at each of the high schools. When additional staff is eliminated, enrichment activities that promote additional growth are severely hindered such as All-Region participation, Solo/Ensemble participation, etc. Based on other similar sized schools, BISD currently understaffs its Band Programs by at least 1 person. Look at the following figures derived from from a published staffing report of the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD from the 2009-10 school year. According to this data, West Brook has a higher percentage of the student body enrolled in Band than several of the schools in the Cy-Fair ISD. However, BISD staffing guidelines state that you must have 1 full time teacher, and an additional .5 teacher for enrollment between 151-200 students. An additional full time teacher requires over 200 members. Looking at the above data, I believe BISDs staffing guidelines are not realistic. At the beginning of the school year when I talk to my student staff before rehearsals begin, I always use an analogy using the football team. Based on the football schedule published for the 2014-15 season, there are 15 coaches listed. These coaches work with all levels of football (9th grade, JV, Varsity) but I imagine all work at some point with the varsity. The marching band is considered a varsity group. There is no JV or freshman marching band. Most of the entire enrollment (160) is involved with the marching band. Current staff: 2. And BISD thinks that is too many. Just imagine how successful we could be with a coach for every section just as the football team has a coach for each position. However proposed cuts will eliminate half of our staff for one of the schools largest organizations. School Total Enrollment # in Band % of Students in Band Staff CyCreek 3301 186 5.7% 3 CyFair 3194 179 5.6% 3 CyFalls 3368 175 5.2% 3 CyLakes 2394 166 7% 3 CyRanch 1502 112 7.5% 3 CyRidge 2978 124 4.2% 3 CySprings 2902 115 4% 3 CyWoods 3161 311 10% 3 JerseyVillage 2970 192 6.5% 3 Lang.Creek 3158 232 7% 3 WestBrook 2376 160 7% 2 The situation is grave. The release of the proposed cuts on the last instructional day of the 2013-14 school year has devastated our community. I encourage you to call, email, visit with anyone one in BISD Administration who may have a say in this decision and let them know of your outrage at this atrocity on not only our programs but on our students and their futures. Please attend the School Board meeting on Monday evening at 6 PM to show your support for not only the West Brook Band Program, but for all of BISDs Fine Arts Programs. Many people are praying about this situation. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and ask you to show your faith by attending the board meeting. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also - James 2: 26. Bach gave us Gods Word. Mozart gave us Gods laughter. Beethoven gave us Gods fire. God gave us Music that we might pray without words Sincerely, Fred A. Turner Director Of Bands AP Music Theory Instructor West Brook High School Beaumont Independent School District supportmusic.org
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 20:37:17 +0000
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