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Students, teachers and parents urge board to spare music and special‑education positions as budget plan moves forward
Summary
During a long public‑comment period, students, teachers and parents implored the board to preserve the percussion EdTech and related‑arts roles and raised concerns about rapid timelines, equity implications of closing Kaler and the human impact of staff reductions.
A broad cross‑section of South Portland students, educators and parents used the board's public‑comment period on March 23 to press officials to protect arts and special‑education staff amid the FY27 budget cuts.
Eighth‑grade students spoke first. "Our percussion EdTech adds so much to our band community," an eighth‑grader, Lucy, said, asking the board not to eliminate the position that supports percussion sectionals and helps make music programs accessible.
Teachers and parents echoed…
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