CVSD music teacher and alumni urge board to restore or reconsider proposed music cuts

Jenna Schultz, a music teacher at Milton High School and CVU graduate, and Whitney Lucier, a former K–12 music educator and conductor of the Burlington Concert Band, spoke during the public-comment period to urge the Champlain Valley School District board to reconsider proposed reductions to the district music program.

“After the reductions were made last year…seeing the proposed reductions for this year makes me a little bit sad and uneasy about the future,” Jenna Schultz said, identifying herself as a current music teacher at Milton High School and a Williston resident. She told the board the district’s “prestigious music program” was critical to her own career path and said cuts would harm student engagement and well‑being and could undermine equitable access to music education across elementary, middle and high schools.

Whitney Lucier said music instruction “goes far beyond singing or playing an instrument,” and argued measurable benefits include discipline, persistence and collaboration. “Keep your music programs intact at the elementary, middle and high school levels will ensure that all students in our district can access the creative and the personal benefits of music education,” Lucier told the board.

Board members acknowledged the difficult tradeoffs required by the budget. Several members said they appreciated the public commenters’ remarks and described the budget process as deliberate while also noting the district must balance program priorities against the fiscal constraints imposed by state funding changes.

The comment period did not include a formal motion or decision on the music program. Board members indicated they would continue to consider public input as they finalize the budget at the upcoming adoption vote.