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Parents, students urge board to preserve performing arts as district raises extracurricular fees
Summary
Multiple parents, students and alumni criticized proposed cuts to performing arts staff and the introduction of extracurricular activity fees. Board and superintendent explained district budget pressures and said fee policy includes a $300 per-student cap and a $600 family cap; financial aid and waivers will be available.
At least a dozen parents, students and alumni used the board's public-comment period to urge the district to preserve performing-arts staffing and oppose a plan that would reduce a dance teacher's hours and add fees for extracurricular activities.
Speakers described the performing arts academy and extracurricular arts offerings as essential to student well-being, college recruitment and inclusivity for students who are not engaged by athletics. Several students described how the dance teacher (identified in multiple comments as miss Cook) has been a mentor across grade levels and how middle-school access to dance feeds the high-school program.
Parents and community advocates raised several related concerns:
- The effect of fees on students whose families do not know about, or would not safely support, their club membership (for example, a gender-and-sexuality alliance club). A student who identified as non-binary said fees might force students to disclose sensitive information to families. - The district's plan to move a performing-arts teacher to part-time status and the potential effect on middle-school and high-school programs. - Equity in fundraising and differential resource levels between athletics and arts.
Board and administrative response:
Superintendent Dr. Treece and board members said the district is facing a large budget gap and has considered many options over multiple years. The administration described a shortfall encountered during the current budget process, noting the district began budgeting the year with a multi-million-dollar gap and that 80% of the district budget is staffing. Board and administration remarks emphasized that the district has tried to avoid charging fees in recent years and that activity fees were removed in the past when the district could afford to do so.
The board described the activity-fee policy parameters: a $300 annual maximum per student and a $600 family cap; the administration estimated the fee program would raise roughly $225,000 to $250,000. Officials said families that cannot afford fees should contact building principals, counselors or the Child Study Team to request waivers or district assistance; the board said administrators will proactively reach out to families identified as in need.
Multiple speakers asked specifically whether special-education students would be included in any fee requirements; administrators replied special-education services and placements are mandated and would not be cut.
Next steps: The administration and principals will clarify which clubs will be covered by fees, examine whether volunteer-led clubs (e.g., Spectrum) are included, and provide parents with details on fee schedules, family caps and waiver processes. The board said it will review additional details and noted the community can contact district staff with concerns.
