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Parents and students urge Sachem board to restore funding for four All‑State musicians
Summary
Students and parents told the Sachem Central School District Board on Sept. 25 that four students selected for the All‑State music festival were removed from district-funded travel and urged the board to find money to send them; board members said budget shortfalls forced difficult cuts and that parents may need to cover overnight expenses.
Parents, students and music educators pressed the Sachem Central School District Board of Education at its Sept. 25 meeting to restore funding for four students who earned All‑State recognition.
Susan Rudnicki, a Holtsville resident and music educator, told the board she had spoken about the issue 15 days earlier and had not received a substantive district response. “Four All‑State musicians were exclusively chosen to represent our school district,” she said, adding that the students earned their spots through rigorous auditions. She said those students had been removed from the district’s funding and asked the board to reconsider support for what she called a prestige and scholarship‑generating opportunity.
A student who identified themself later in the meeting as Jamie described hours of daily practice and competitions and warned that the decision sends the wrong message. “We have $373,000,000 in Sachem’s school budget, and you cut the top musicians… to save a mere $4,160,” Jamie said, urging the board to find a solution so the students can attend the Rochester conference.
A parent who spoke at the meeting argued the district lacks a music director and said a director would provide continuity and logistical support for trips and performances. “We have to get a music director in,” the parent said, saying a district‑level director would coordinate teachers and events and prevent the kinds of problems parents described.
Board members and administrators said the district did not block access to the All‑State trip but that overnight travel costs were being asked of families because the district faced deep budget reductions. An administrator said the district had to find roughly $3,000,000 in savings this year and that many programs and staffing levels were affected. Board members also said the district had preserved a number of music and drama programs despite the broader cut list.
The board did not announce a change in funding at the meeting. Several speakers urged the board to re‑examine the budget decision and to consider alternatives that would allow nationally recognized students to attend. The board indicated it would continue discussions with the superintendent’s office and committees about options and next steps.
