Board approves '9 to 5' musical after weeks of public debate; orders clearer co‑curricular vetting

By a 6‑0 vote the Sparta Area School District board moved to allow the Sparta High School fall musical selection, "9 to 5," to proceed and directed district administration and the performing‑arts booster club to create a written, collaborative vetting and communication process for future co‑curricular productions.

The meeting included lengthy public comment: students, parents, former teachers and a retired judge described the performing‑arts program as "lifesaving, educational and award winning;" many urged the board to trust directors and boosters. "Let these directors and kids continue the work they started and give us another stellar performance," said Kelly Arnold, a grandmother of a cast member. Former board member and retired judge David Rice said the musical is voluntary and parents decide whether to allow participation: "That's who should make the decision, the parents."

Directors and boosters described statewide recognition: musical director Skyler Erickson noted Sparta won two Jerry Awards at the state level and that the program invests hundreds of hours into production work. Skyler said cancelling a show undermines students and robs them of developmental opportunities, and urged the board to trust directors' judgement.

Administration explained the timeline behind the district's earlier decision to caution against the show as written. Sam (district administration) said the district and the musical director reviewed the script and public information and determined the piece includes material the administration deemed better suited to older audiences (references to sexual‑harassment themes and implied drug use were cited). Sam said district administrators were concerned about 13‑ and 14‑year‑old students potentially being placed in roles that could put them in an uncomfortable position and that, in the administration's view, the instructional and supervisory context the classroom provides was different from an unsupervised performance setting.

Board members heard both sides. A trustee read Board Policy 2240 ("Controversial Issues in the Classroom") aloud and said the policy allows controversial issues to be taught when tied to instructional goals, while others said the voluntary nature of productions and parental choice weigh in favor of allowing the community to decide. Booster‑club representatives said the boosters fund and operate the productions to a large extent (boosters paid $9,110 for the performance rights), carry their own liability insurance, and arrange janitorial coverage and transportation to contests.

Motion and vote: Trustee Colin Burns Gilbert moved to approve "9 to 5" for fall 2025 and to require stakeholders to develop an action plan to improve communication, consistency and vetting of co‑curricular activities going forward. The motion was seconded by Trustee Gonke and passed on roll call, 6‑0 (one absence).

The board also asked administration to produce a formal process that clarifies when a production is considered a district student activity (subject to district policies) versus a booster‑led event, and to convene the boosters, directors and student representatives to draft vetting standards. Administrators scheduled a follow‑up collaborative meeting for late June to begin that work and to return with proposed procedures and an escalation path so disputes can be raised and resolved earlier in the season.

The decision does not erase the strong divisions reflected in public comment. Supporters emphasized student opportunities and artistic learning; some community members urged caution given the musical's adult themes and the possibility of younger audience members attending. The board's next step is to create and publish clear rules for co‑curricular material selection, communication and appeals so future disagreements are resolved before production work has proceeded at scale.