District to launch United Sound inclusion program; startup covered by grant
Summary
The board heard a presentation about United Sound, an inclusive music program pairing peer mentors with students with disabilities. Speaker 11 said a $202,500 one-time startup fee is covered by a grant and noted a $35 per-student fee; board members expressed support.
District staff presented United Sound, a nonprofit-backed program to pair peer-mentor musicians with students who have special needs. The presenter described mentor training supplied by United Sound, weekly rehearsals in the band room, and the goal for new musicians to perform at district concerts in December and May.
Speaker 11 provided program cost details: "There's a 1 time startup fee of $202,500 dollars," which the presenter said is covered by a grant, and a $35 fee per student that includes mentor and mentee. The presenter said United Sound has grant resources to help acquire instruments and can work with families unable to pay the per-student fee.
Board members responded positively. Speaker 4 called the program "amazing" and Speaker 3 said it will be an "additional benefit for our students." No board motion or vote was recorded to authorize spending beyond the described grant-funded startup; the transcript shows the board asking no follow-up financial motion at that time.
The presentation included planned logistics (mentor-to-new-musician ratio, mentor training, meeting schedules) and expected benefits such as increased inclusion, peer mentorship opportunities and experiential learning for future music educators.
