Madison parents urge board to preserve elementary music, theater and Spanish time

Dozens of parents and community members addressed the Madison Public Schools Board of Education during public comment to oppose proposed reductions to related-arts instruction for 4th- and 5th-grade students.

The speakers asked the board to preserve music, theater and Spanish time and to provide clearer, earlier communication about scheduling-driven changes. Many said the changes were first reported informally rather than through official district channels.

Aniva Loria, Vice President of the Hand Music Boosters Board, told the board she learned that 5th-grade music could be cut from roughly 60 days a year to 30 days a year and said the reduction was “very concerning” for younger students’ ability to learn instruments and for sustaining the Daniel Hand High School marching band. “If we cut the time that younger kids are spending doing music, I'm concerned that that's going to even decimate the marching band more,” Loria said.

Parents cited several other proposed changes. Paul Sisco, a parent of two fourth-graders, said Spanish contact time would be reduced by about 60% and that theater could be removed for 5th grade; he described the cumulative reductions as a drop in overall education quality. “I came to Madison because of the education for my kid,” Sisco said. Dennis Fobbe, an active town volunteer who identified himself as connected to the Ryerson PTO, summarized what many speakers described: limited public information, decisions that appear already made, and a concern that scheduling and logistics are being prioritized over student needs.

Artists and educators also spoke. Sondra O’Lenik, an artist who has taught locally, said cutting arts “helps destroy the inner child” and urged the board not to reduce opportunities that foster creativity and independent thinking. Jenny Nye, a former professional musician, compared Madison’s proposed music offerings unfavorably with peer districts and urged ensemble and small-group experiences in 4th–5th grades.

Several parents described the developmental window of 4th and 5th grade as critical for building presentation, collaboration and language skills. “That stuff needs to happen when the kids are really young,” said AJ Miller, an engineering manager and parent. Multiple speakers said theater and ensemble offerings helped shy students gain confidence and public-speaking skills that benefit them across disciplines.

Speakers repeatedly asked for clearer facts and a formal presentation on the proposed schedule and curriculum changes. Meredith Young, parent of a fourth-grader, told the board she and other parents had repeatedly requested information since orientation in June and had not received a formal outline of next year’s plans.

The board and administrators heard the concerns but did not adopt a change during the meeting. Chairman Duskin said the 4th- and 5th-grade instructional scheduling model at issue is “not budget driven at all. It's schedule driven,” and he indicated the board needs clearer documentation of what specific cuts or schedule changes would mean in staffing and student time.

Speakers urged the board to reexamine the schedule decisions before they are finalized and to provide parents, teachers and the public with detailed, timely information.

The meeting moved on to the superintendent’s budget presentation after public comment. Several parents stayed to ask follow-up questions at later agenda items.