A parent asked the Elk River School Board to intervene after his son was told he could not participate in the River Valley Percussion Theater (RVBT) following changes that moved the activity under district control.

Luke Hegherly, who identified himself as a parent of a student enrolled at Spectrum Charter School, said his son has participated in RVBT for four winter seasons and holds a leadership role in the ensemble. He said other Spectrum students who have been part of RVBT for several seasons were similarly barred from participation after the move to a district‑run program.

Hegherly asked three questions: why current participants were not grandfathered for the next two seasons, why other activities (swimming and diving, gymnastics, boys' tennis) were being allowed to continue partnerships with Spectrum while RVBT was being restricted, and why the district’s proposed remedy was to transfer students mid‑semester into Elk River High School for participation.

He asked the board to have ISD 728 leadership attend an information night on Oct. 20 and to allow the affected students to participate in the upcoming season, noting the team is scheduled to travel to world championships in Dayton, Ohio next year. Board members did not announce an immediate remedy during the meeting.

Hegherly asked for board assistance in “doing what is right” for students who have longstanding participation and leadership roles in the ensemble.