Carbondale residents scramble to save folklórico program after lead instructor leaves

Residents at a Carbondale community meeting raised alarm that the town’s folklórico dance program may be ending after its longtime instructor stepped away. Participants said the program relied heavily on one person’s skills and organization and that no single replacement has stepped forward.

The concern surfaced during public comment when a resident who runs a pediatric therapy clinic said she had heard the folklórico program was ‘‘completely closing’’ and asked whether the town or a community group could help prevent a shutdown. Meeting participants and other residents said Francisco (also called Paco) performed most teaching and logistics and that finding someone with the same combined skills has been difficult.

Members discussed several possible responses: recruiting former students of the program, approaching nearby universities and colleges for volunteers or student teachers, dividing responsibilities between two or more instructors, and using town or community-group funds to temporarily subsidize staffing. Organizers said social-media posting and school outreach might increase the applicant pool for instructors.

No formal motion or town funding decision was made at the meeting. Organizers asked residents to share leads and to publicize openings; one resident said she would help share information via social media and community contacts. The meeting record indicates continued follow-up is expected, but no specific timeline or funding commitment was provided.