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School board hears plans to protect orchestra and band programs; administration says funds, repairs under review
Summary
Board members discussed preserving string and orchestra instruction in the budget, asked principals and music directors to submit coordinated requests to Dr. Majette, and proposed using shop classes or local fabricators to repair band stands rather than immediately buying replacements.
The Lynchburg City Public Schools board on Tuesday discussed steps to preserve orchestra and string programs and to address damaged band equipment.
Board member S1 said the district should make sure ‘‘string and orchestra instruction’’ stays in the budget so programs do not disappear. S2 said principals should work with music directors to develop budget requests and ‘‘submit that to Dr. Majette’’ as part of a consolidated budget package rather than bringing isolated requests to the board.
Dr. Majette said she visited EC Glass after a student spoke at a previous meeting and found ‘‘there's still plenty of money in that band account’’ but that principals and instructors would work together to identify needs and submit formal requests for any items beyond what's covered by existing school budgets. She said the program-of-studies committee is reviewing course weighting to address participation in orchestra.
The board also discussed short-term repairs. S1 proposed using local fabrication shops or the district’s own shop classes to harvest parts or weld components to extend the life of stands and equipment. Dr. Majette said some shop classes already perform repairs and administrators will evaluate what can be fixed in-house and what would require new purchase requests.
No formal vote was recorded on music funding or repairs during the session. The board directed principals and the administration to coordinate on budget requests and to return with specifics as part of the larger budget package.
