Community speakers urge board not to reduce school music time; parents cite mental-health and IEP needs

Dozens of residents told the Barre Unified Union School District #97 board on Aug. 1 that planned schedule changes that reduce in-class music time would harm students’ social, emotional and academic development.

Tyler Watkins, a Berry City resident and volunteer, told the board “music directly correlates to how a child’s mind develops,” and urged members not to cut a program he said draws standing-room audiences and supports students who do not participate in other activities.

Other speakers reinforced that point. Stephanie Knecht said, “My daughter is severely autistic. Music is her passion,” adding that music class provides her daughter social engagement she gets nowhere else. Former school board member Jen Kioli and 18-year district employee Mary Fryfield described music and arts as “a growth mindset” that integrates math, history and social-emotional learning and said community performances build confidence.

The superintendent, speaking after public comment, said the concern reflected a scheduling change rather than program eliminations. “We have not made any staffing changes. We’re not making any program option changes,” the superintendent said, and described an effort to add instructional time for literacy and mathematics while keeping public performances and existing programs in place.

Board members and administration acknowledged equity questions across schools and said they would provide additional information about scheduling and the district’s plan to maintain arts offerings. Several board members encouraged the community speakers and said the board would consider equity and scheduling as it finalizes routines for the year.

The public comments preceded executive session and were limited to speakers present in the meeting room per the board chair’s procedure for that agenda segment.