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Community urges Bartholomew school board to preserve summer band funding ahead of bargaining
Summary
Dozens of students, parents and teachers told the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation board at a public hearing that maintaining summer band funding is a priority as the district prepares to open collective bargaining with the teachers association on Sept. 17.
Dozens of students, parents and teachers urged the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation board at a public hearing to preserve funding for summer band programs as the district prepares to begin collective bargaining with the teachers association on Sept. 17.
Amy London, who introduced the teachers’ bargaining team, told the board she will represent teachers in the upcoming negotiations. "I am the bargaining chair for the representing the teacher side of our collective bargaining agreement," she said, noting the hearing's purpose was to gather public input ahead of bargaining.
Multiple speakers described summer band as essential to students’ musical development and community well-being. "The reason that I'm here today is to ask you to protect the funding for summer band programs," said Claudia Thomas, a Columbus North sophomore, describing how two weeks of summer band transformed her skills and confidence. Student speakers Addie Chenault and Jack Kerr echoed that appeal, saying cuts would reduce opportunities for incoming students and weaken show quality.
Parents and boosters framed the program as a community resource. "These programs are not just activities. They are essential to the future of students who love music and the performing arts in our community," said Denise Sharp, president of the Columbus North Band Boosters and co-president of the Sound and Spirit of Columbus. Band parent Amanda Devine described the ensemble as "family," saying it provided life-saving support for one student.
Speakers also credited recent district investments and referendum funding with strengthening educator retention. A veteran music teacher told the board "the referendum money has helped tremendously" in his life and urged negotiators to consider teachers' financial needs in the contract talks.
The board’s presiding member acknowledged the public testimony and described district support for band while limiting what the board could promise in a hearing. The member said the state "did defund reimbursement for summer band," noting that was a state-level decision, and added that the district had paid for last year’s summer program out of pocket, purchased new uniforms, allocated funds for a new trailer and added another band teacher to support the program.
No formal commitments or votes were taken at the hearing. Board members told speakers their remarks will inform bargaining, which the district said begins Sept. 17. The public was invited to remain for the regular board meeting that followed.
