Parents, students decry Georgetown Middle School band cut at Scott County Board meeting; superintendent points to allocation rules

Dozens of students, parents and teachers spoke at the Scott County Board of Education meeting to protest a Georgetown Middle School (GMS) site-based council decision to cut the band teacher position and other staff after a projected enrollment drop.

The speakers said the band teacher — described repeatedly as a ‘‘safe place’’ for students — and other dedicated arts instructors provide vital academic, social and emotional support. Superintendent Parker replied that the district uses a longstanding allocation formula and that site-based councils make staffing allocation decisions for their schools.

The protest grew from a GMS site-based council meeting in which the school was asked to cut six teacher positions because of a projected decrease of about 40 students; speakers said that Title I funding subsequently reduced the cuts to four positions. Testimony at the board meeting described the effect on music and arts access: GMS will be left with one teacher who would be required to cover both band and choir, eliminating participation in all-district and all-state ensembles, jazz band, and next year’s marching-band opportunities for some students.

"I am a student at Great Crossing High School and ... I would like to focus on the overall effect of this decision," student Amelie Robinson said. "One of the most life changing gifts you can give to a child is trust... I was not encouraged to trust." (Amelie Robinson, Great Crossing High School student)

Christine Hollider, identified as an art teacher, team leader for special area teachers at GMS and Scott County Education Association building representative, told the board the site-based council voted to cut the band position after being told to eliminate six positions. "Due to the projected decreased enrollment of 40 students, GMS was asked to cut 6 teacher positions from our already very small and dedicated staff," Hollider said. "As a result, the site based council decided to cut the band position." (Christine Hollider, art teacher and SCEA building representative)

Eighth-grade student Jasmine Wood told the board the band teacher provided personal support students did not receive elsewhere: "The only safe place I have found there is the bander, is doctor Cruz... He cares truly so much more than anyone else there, and he's getting cut." (Jasmine Wood, GMS student)

Multiple parents and community members described how arts teachers helped otherwise shy students find social connection and school pride. Parent Shannon McConnell said her son found his "tribe" in art at GMS; Cara Coates, a parent, said about 14 eighth-graders had the opportunity to join the Great Crossing marching band and that those students benefited from scholarship and placement advantages.

Parent and music-degree holder Melissa Askew questioned whether a single teacher could competently cover both band and choir. She said she attended site-based meetings and raised concerns about data presented there and inconsistent comparisons to other Title I schools. "Putting a choir teacher in front of a band class is an antithesis of this mission," Askew said, referring to district learning goals. (Melissa Askew, parent)

Superintendent Billy Parker (identified in the meeting as "Mister Parker") told the board that the district has used the same allocation formula since before he took his post and that when a school's projected enrollment declines, positions available to that school decline accordingly. "This is a Scott County Schools board meeting, not a Georgetown Middle School site based meeting ... this is not a decision of the Scott County Board of Education," Parker said, noting Kentucky site-based councils have authority over how allocated positions are used.

Board members responding in the meeting emphasized support for GMS while reiterating the limits of the board's authority. Several board members urged parents and community members to engage in site-based council meetings and local recruitment to keep students enrolled and preserve programs.

No formal action reversing the site-based council decision was taken by the board during the meeting; the board approved other agenda items later in the session. Speakers and board members said parent and community involvement at the site-based level is the immediate path to seeking restoration or alternative staffing.

The board did move later in the meeting into a closed session under a cited Kentucky statute to discuss student discipline matters; that closed session was separate from the GMS staffing dispute.

Ending: Community members said they will continue to press the district and site-based council for transparency and for options to maintain arts instruction at GMS. The board urged parents to participate in site-based decision-making and to bring concerns back to the council that made the allocation decision.