Madison County students say mold, aging truck and limited funding disrupted band camp and damaged instruments

Addison Hammock, a student at Madison County High School, told the Madison County School Board on Aug. 4 that recent events related to mold in the band room and long-term funding shortfalls have “directly affected” band members and their ability to rehearse safely. "The way the Madison County High School Band is being treated in general and especially during the entire Mordor deal a few weeks ago is unacceptable," Hammock said during the public-comment period. Riley Sheffield, a 10th-grade student and marching band leader, said the band room was "covered in mold" when leadership days began and that students were not notified about potential health risks. "I was told something alarming, that nobody was supposed to be in that school at all without a respirator," Sheffield said, describing two full days students spent in the building before being warned not to enter. Band leader Coranda Fernandez and member Olivia Thompson described additional safety and operational problems: a practice field with potholes and biting ants, an inoperable band truck that forces instruments and props onto school buses, and persistent fundraising shortfalls. "The band truck is currently broken and we have to put our props and instruments on the buses with us," Fernandez told the board. Thompson said the program relies almost entirely on small fundraisers and out-of-pocket payments for camps and repairs. Why it matters: students and parents said health and safety were affected and that long-standing funding gaps are forcing band members to pay for travel, repairs and camps. Hammock said instrument repair is costly, giving one example from a local shop. Students said more than 15 instruments were damaged after being wiped down with chemicals by people they described as having “no knowledge of instrument care.” Board and staff response: Superintendent Adams told the board the district has passed a Department of Health inspection and is waiting on a final signed report from the hygienist. The superintendent also said the district is preparing a new communication policy and an after-action report, which will be shared with board members when complete. Several board members thanked the students for speaking and said they would look into the concerns and invited the students to follow up as issues are resolved. What was not decided: the meeting record shows no formal motion or vote on repairs, replacement vehicles or an emergency funding allocation for the band. Board members repeatedly encouraged students to provide follow-up information so staff can act, but no specific timelines or funding sources were committed during the meeting. Context: students said the problems affected band camp rehearsal time, leaving the band with two days to rehearse a show that normally would receive two weeks of preparation; students reported heat, insect infestations and lack of equipment or chairs during the first week. Students named external activities they attend at their own expense, including summer camps at FSU, to underscore the program’s competitive commitments. Next steps noted in the meeting: Superintendent Adams will share the Department of Health final report and the district’s after-action report when complete; board members and staff said they would investigate the specific claims about instrument damage, transportation and practice-field safety and requested continued follow-up from the students.