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Alumni, students urge Proviso West Board to preserve summer band program led by Samuel Atcher
Summary
Dozens of alumni and current students told the Proviso Township HSD 209 Board of Education on Aug. 12 that a long‑running summer band program run by Samuel Atcher provides academic and social benefits and should be funded or the leader compensated.
Dozens of alumni and community members addressed the Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education during public comment on Aug. 12 to urge the board to continue support for a summer band program run by Samuel Atcher.
The speakers said the summer program provides musical instruction, discipline and community ties that helped many graduates stay in school and win college scholarships. "Band and music in general ... is something that is a healing factor," said Laquan Dagan, identifying himself as a Proviso West alumnus, during the public‑comment period. "He gives the outlet in very interesting ways in order to help, heal some of the people..."
The remarks collectively described multi‑decade work by the program leader and the program's role in student development and community engagement. "He took us everywhere," said one speaker, who said the summer camp once drew more than 100 members and produced travel and performance opportunities. Charice Red, identified as president of the Proviso West alumni group, said the program creates a "safe haven" and urged the board to help the program secure funding and staffing.
Speakers gave concrete examples of the program's outcomes: students who later earned scholarships to historically Black colleges and universities, consistent travel for performances (including an out‑of‑state trip to Pine Bluff, Arkansas), leadership roles for participants, and the formation of long‑term mentoring relationships. Several speakers asked the board to compensate the program leader or provide funding so the program can continue at previous scale.
Board members did not take immediate action on the requests during the public‑comment period; the remarks were part of the meeting's public‑comment agenda item. The board moved from public comment to a scheduled budget hearing that evening.
Supporters asked for clear next steps. Multiple speakers said they hoped the administration and the board would consider funding or other formal support for the program and for Atcher's work overseeing it.
The board's meeting packet and subsequent agenda items include budget and personnel approvals later in the meeting; no formal motion about the summer band program was recorded in the public portion of the transcript excerpt.
Proviso West alumni and advocates said they will continue outreach to the district and stressed the program's role in student retention, leadership training and community connection.
