Parent raises concern about band mouthpiece hygiene; district says mouthpieces are sterilized

During the public-comment period at the March 13 Board of Education meeting, a parent described finding heavy residue in a band mouthpiece and reported that students were sharing mouthpieces at her child's school. The parent said she submitted a written request to the band teacher asking about sterilization and whether parents could purchase mouthpieces, and that the teacher responded, "I don't need a lecture from your mother. I've been doing this for 26 years."

Associate Assistant Superintendent Joan Heperley told the parent district staff would meet with her to clarify procedures and said parents are given an option to purchase mouthpieces at the beginning of the year; she also stated the district's practice is to sterilize mouthpieces. "The mouthpiece are sterilized," she said, and staff said they will follow up with the parent to clarify site practices.

The parent said she raised the issue with the principal but did not receive a clear response; she asked the board to ensure proper dental-hygiene procedures for shared instruments and options for parents to buy or rent mouthpieces.

Next steps: Superintendent's office staff said they will meet with the parent and site staff to clarify instrument-cleaning procedures and to ensure parents understand options for purchasing mouthpieces.