Hollister
– All band classes have been eliminated from San Benito High
School’s summer program as a result of significant cuts in state
funding.
Hollister – All band classes have been eliminated from San Benito High School’s summer program as a result of significant cuts in state funding.
Several parents spoke out against the decision to cut the summer band program at the school board meeting Wednesday. The program was eliminated in addition to all other enrichment-type classes, shrinking the summer school program from approximately 1,400 students per semester, as in previous years, to only 890.
The cuts came as a result of a state funding shift.
In the past, the state provided funding for all general remedial classes. Now this uncapped amount goes exclusively toward classes for students who have failed, or are at risk of failing the high school exit exam.
Because of the administration’s commitment to providing make-up classes for failing grades, the school agreed to fund these remedial summer school classes, but was forced to eliminate enrichment classes. Band was one of the classes that got cut entirely.
This decision angered band parents, who felt the decision to only offer remedial courses put students who wanted to take summer enrichment courses at a disadvantage.
“Because we’re in a rural area, we don’t have a lot of options for teenagers to spend their summers,” SBHS parent Jennifer Coile said.
Coile said the summer band class offered students a chance to practice over the summer and maintain the high skill level that the community has come to expect from the band.
“(Summer school) is very important to the band program, and it’s important for eighth-graders who are transitioning,” said Debbie Hamilton, who has two sophomore sons who play in the band. “San Benito High School is a really big place, and it can be a scary place for an eighth-grader. The band room is a place where people get a family.”
While the board agreed that the summer band program is important to the school, it was concerned that if it agreed to fund this program, teachers of other enrichment programs would come forward as well.
“The thing is, the state has said they can’t fund any enrichment classes. It’s unfair for those kids, because they’re doing so well in school. Are they being punished for doing well?” Trustee Mary Encinias said. “We’re very limited in the amount of money this year. I feel bad because I really feel we need the band.”
The school’s director of finance and operations estimated that the cost of one course of band would be $6,000.
The administration still hopes it will be able to fund the summer band program through an arts and P.E. grant received from the state, although it is uncertain whether or not the summer classes qualify.
“If we cannot find the money, we are going to have to look at what kind of budget enhancements we can generate, whether it’s the booster club or an ongoing source of extra funding,” Superintendent Stan Rose said.
Rose said the elimination of the band program was an indication of a larger problem in budget cuts overall.
“My concern is not just their class but the other things that it implies. We’ve had a number of (classes) over the years that have had to be cut back as the program has been less and less funded,” Rose said.
The band parents, many of whom are in the band’s booster club, said they would be unable to raise the funds in time for the beginning of summer school.
“Somewhere there’s got to be money to fund the band program,” said Kelvin Malko, SBHS parent.
