CSHS band boosters flag untimely budget cuts and a revoked stipend; district adjusted food funding after pushback

Betsy Pickett, president of the College Station High School Band Boosters and a parent of five students in the district, addressed the board during the Oct. 21 meeting to raise concerns about recent budget cuts and how those changes were communicated to fine‑arts staff and families.

Pickett told trustees the boosters set fees and budgets before the district communicated a “drastic” reduction in funding for student meals related to an Oct. 2 marching band event. She said the district initially cut funding to feed students attending the state qualifying contest and that the cut was communicated on short notice. She said the district later revised the student food budget after booster pushback.

She also said a band director who took on additional administrative duties and oversight of color guard last year had been verbally promised a stipend that was later rescinded for the fall semester. Pickett said the director had performed additional duties for five months under the expectation of compensation: “Failing to compensate staff for work and communicating in this manner shows no regard for the tireless effort of an outstanding music educator,” she told the board.

Why it matters: band programs rely heavily on booster funding and family contributions. Sudden budget changes that are communicated late can force boosters to raise fees or absorb costs and produce stress for families and staff preparing for competitions.

District response and context

Pickett said the boosters do not benefit from ticket and concession revenue the way athletics programs do and that raising fees could price students out of participation. She thanked the district for restoring the food budget after the boosters pushed back but urged more timely and transparent communication about financial decisions that affect fine‑arts programs.

Ending

Pickett closed by urging the board to ensure budget communication honors fine‑arts staff and to provide timely notice when district budget changes affect program funding. The board did not take an immediate action on the concerns raised during the public comment period.