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Banks students and community members urge board to fund drama program upgrades
Summary
Students and a community member told the Banks School District 13 board that the drama program lacks dedicated funding and adequate facilities, asking the board to help identify funding, storage and equipment upgrades ahead of an April production.
At the March 9, 2026 meeting of the Banks School District 13 Board of Directors, students and a community member urged trustees to provide more consistent support for the high school drama program, citing space constraints, aging equipment and an absence of protected arts funding.
Travis Riddle, who addressed the board during the public comment period, said the district had labeled the drama elective as cut for lack of interest even though student participation is strong. "We have over 40 student actors in Romeo and Juliet this spring," Riddle said, arguing that lack of a dedicated fund leaves theater reliant on general instruction dollars, student body funds and volunteer labor. He contrasted that with athletics, which he said benefits from a recurring athletics fund (referred to by Riddle as fund 232).
The president of the Banks High School drama club, Maddie Jones, told the board the club runs about 20 regular participants and that mounting sets and backstage work require more space and a dedicated sink and storage. "Each show takes approximately 100 hours of rehearsal time," Jones said, and she invited the public to see the club's April production of Romeo and Juliet, staged in a western theme and planned for two weekends.
Stage manager and technical director DJ Eric Gillen also spoke during a late public-comment exception, asking the board to review school practice on painted graduation caps after staff had denied him permission. "They told me no," Gillen said, urging the board to consider making an exception this year or clarifying the process for future student artists.
Board members responded that the drama program is on the district's priority list and said they would work with staff to identify practical steps. A board member said the program is "on our wish list and priority list, and we'll make sure that gets the upgrades that the minimal upgrades that we need." Another board member said the district is "working on storage options" and will prioritize minimal upgrades.
What happens next: the board acknowledged the requests and directed staff to explore storage solutions, possible funding sources and grant support. The drama club's Romeo and Juliet runs in late April; board members encouraged attendance and said they would follow up with the presenters.
