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Homeschool family asks board to sponsor student’s PMEA orchestra participation
Summary
A homeschooled 11th-grade cellist whose parents say she meets Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) eligibility asked the district to sign her PMEA registration; parents said prior years’ administrative changes blocked participation. The superintendent said he is aware and will handle the issue.
A homeschooled 11th-grade musician and her parents asked the Conewago Valley School District Board of Directors to allow district sponsorship so the student can participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) orchestra festival.
The request was made during public comment by Karen Mallard and Chad Kellner. They said the student participates in the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra and receives private lessons from a university-level professional cellist; they said those credentials satisfy PMEA eligibility rules for homeschooled students and asked the district to complete the PMEA registration signature by the district deadline.
Karen Mallard described multiple years of shifting administrative terms that, she said, had prevented her daughter from competing in earlier PMEA opportunities. “In January, Miss Creel changed the terms of that agreement and wanted to enforce Vivian's attendance to the high school orchestra two times per week,” Mallard said, adding the family’s homeschool schedule could not meet that requirement. She asked the board to allow the district’s signature for PMEA registration without requiring full participation in the school orchestra.
Chad Kellner said the student has met PMEA requirements through community ensemble membership and private instruction, and he described the festival as an important opportunity for college-level performance experience and scholarships. “PMEA's door is open. The district simply needs to walk through with us,” Kellner said.
Superintendent Doctor Perry told the board he was aware of the family’s request and that administrators are addressing it. Board members said the matter could be handled administratively or, if it involves student-confidential information, in executive session. The board requested that the superintendent follow up before the PMEA registration deadline and report back; the family had asked for district acknowledgment by October 24 so they could register.
No change to district policy was made at the meeting; the superintendent agreed to pursue the registration administratively and to brief the board as appropriate.
