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Edison High choir students press board to add assistant director as program nears 200 members
Summary
Current and outgoing Edison High choir students told the Board of Education the program’s rapid growth—projected at about 180 students next year, and nearly 200 including after-school ensembles—makes a single director unsustainable; they presented a petition with 120–135 signatures and the superintendent said the district will investigate.
Edison High School choir students told the Edison Township Board of Education on Monday that the district should hire an assistant choir director to handle a program that students say has expanded to roughly 180 students and could total nearly 200 when after‑school ensembles are included.
Students who spoke during the public‑comment portion of the meeting said one teacher, identified in the meeting as Mr. Listener, now directs multiple ensembles, organizes travel and runs after‑school rehearsals. “This petition has reached 120 plus signatures from students, parents, and friends alike,” student Xavier Chung told the board, adding the program tripled in size since the teacher started and will present logistical and safety challenges if left under‑staffed.
Fellow student John Michael Solano said the choir’s enrollment means nearly 200 people could be “taught by one teacher” once after‑school ensembles and trips are counted, calling the workload “astronomical.” Prica Nyer, a graduating choir member, said the group’s national and regional successes—from Carnegie Hall to state competitions—depend on staffing that allows smaller ensembles and individualized instruction.
Superintendent Dr. Alderelli thanked the students for their advocacy and said the district had received related emails and would investigate staffing needs with supervisors and principals. “If we determine that there’s a need for this, it’s something that we’ll investigate,” he said. A board member added during discussion, “budget is definitely not the issue.”
Students asked the board to reconsider a prior decision not to hire an assistant and urged officials to consider a half‑year or part‑time position as an interim solution. The board did not take a formal vote on the staffing request at the meeting and said it would follow up after discussions with building supervisors and central office staff.
The board was next scheduled for a combined meeting in July; students and district representatives indicated they expected further discussions on the choir staffing request before the new school year.
