Students, parents urge Frontier board to retain qualified orchestra teacher amid budget cuts

Several students, parents and alumni urged the Frontier Central School District Board of Education to reconsider plans that would eliminate or consolidate an orchestra teaching position, saying the change would reduce opportunities and expertise for string students across the district.

Julian Zajac, an eighth‑grade orchestra member, said the orchestra meets every morning and called for the board to “hire a well qualified string teacher from a high school orchestra position.” Madison Osborne, a high school music student, said reductions are already limiting opportunities: she cited that Frontier could not send any elementary orchestra students to an all‑county event this year because of teacher shortages. “It’s vital not just for high school to have a sufficient amount of music teachers but for all across the district that every student has the opportunity to be taught by educators who are qualified,” she said.

James Connors, a sophomore who performs in orchestra and choir, argued that state certification does not equal subject‑level qualification in music and described advanced technical skills orchestra students need. “How can we eliminate a position for a teacher that has grown apart from 6 students in 1992 to … 92 students?” he asked, referring to past enrollment growth in the orchestra program.

Parent and former student Andrew Osborne said losing a qualified orchestra teacher changed his own post‑graduation path and warned that cuts could drive future students away from music. Nina Butler, another student performer, said the district routinely produces students who compete for statewide honors and that removing a qualified strings teacher would harm those prospects. Parent Christian Rosada asked the board to consider the absence of access to private music lessons and the district’s role in providing equitable opportunities.

District officials acknowledged the public comments and framed staffing changes as part of a multi‑year financial adjustment. Board members and district administrators told speakers that the district has been managing a structural shortfall and has pursued retirements and planned personnel reductions to reduce the need for involuntary layoffs. The district noted it has carried a roughly $3,000,000 budget gap in recent years and said it seeks to spread reductions across three years by not filling some retiring positions.

Speakers linked the orchestra position to broader program outcomes: students described higher‑level repertoire, all‑county and all‑state auditions, and technical skills such as advanced shifting required for string players. Commenters asked the board to prioritize hiring a qualified string specialist rather than consolidating responsibilities among existing certified instructors they said lack orchestral specialization.

Board members acknowledged the district’s pride in its music program and said they had reviewed multiple budget scenarios and staffing options. Several board members thanked speakers for coming and said the board had read prior written comments and listened to public remarks. No formal vote or policy change was announced at the meeting; board members indicated budget work remains underway and that final staffing decisions will be made in the coming months as the district finalizes its budget and personnel plans.

The district’s public comment period rules were announced at the meeting: up to 20 minutes are set aside for public comment and each speaker may speak for up to three minutes. Several presenters identified themselves by name and role during their comments.