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Students and residents urge Keyport to restore in‑school music teacher
Summary
Multiple students and a resident told the board they collected petitions and want a dedicated in‑school music teacher to support instruments, drama and student wellbeing; speakers said many students lack access to sustained music instruction.
During public participation on May 15, students and residents urged the Keyport Board of Education to restore an in‑school music teacher and expand music instruction opportunities.
Avida Simas, a Keyport High School freshman, told the board she and classmates want an in‑school music teacher so students can learn instruments during the school day rather than seeking lessons after school. "Hands on work might help them unwind with some schoolwork," she said, and added that instruments could support students with attention differences.
Sophia Desimos, a junior and student petitioner, said students gathered nearly three pages of signatures in two days to show demand and reported the drama club often lacks live student musicians and instead uses recorded soundtracks. She argued an in‑school program would give students opportunities to stick with instruction and build skills.
John Vero, a resident, said he has seen drama and band programs at nearby schools and believes Keyport would benefit from having its own band and music class offerings. Victoria McCluskey, the student representative, also voiced support for wider arts opportunities and said students appreciate existing after‑school offerings but would benefit from structured in‑school instruction.
Board members thanked the commenters for their remarks; the meeting record shows the public comment was noted but no immediate motion to add a music teacher to the budget was recorded on May 15. The board did not vote on program changes at this meeting.
