Keystone fifth grader presents petition to allow students to take both band and chorus in middle school

A fifth grader from Keystone Elementary presented a petition during public comment asking the district to change a middle-school scheduling rule that, as she said, requires students to choose between band and chorus. The student, who identified herself as Abigail and said she is a fifth grader at Keystone, read the petition at the podium and said more than 100 people had signed it.

"We would like students to have an opportunity to select both music ensembles so that they will not have to choose," the student read from the petition, listing reasons that included improved musical development and equitable access relative to surrounding districts.

Board members and staff acknowledged the petition during the meeting. A board member said the district has applicable policy and that staff would look into the request. Superintendent staff confirmed they would follow up; a district official said, “I will make that phone call tomorrow morning to Mr. Nitti and we will work on this.” No formal vote or policy change occurred at the meeting.

The presentation highlighted local interest in arts participation and scheduling constraints at the middle-school level. The student asked that the district consider rotating schedules or before/after-school options, and she delivered a printed copy of the petition to the board.

The board did not set a deadline for a response at the meeting, but staff indicated they would follow up promptly with administration to review policy and scheduling options.