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Community speakers urge board not to eliminate K-5 licensed music, offer half-time alternative
Summary
Parents, music teachers and counselors told the Gresham-Barlow School District board the proposal to cut licensed K-5 music teachers would damage the district's feeder programs and urged a half-time alternative that district staff estimate would cost only tens of thousands more than the administration's plan.
Becky Caputo, a longtime district employee and parent, told the board the proposal to eliminate licensed K-5 music instruction would be "a fundamental shift in what we offer children," and pressed leaders to explain who would deliver state-required arts instruction if licensed teachers are removed.
"If EAs are expected to deliver predesigned lessons that presents real challenges in instruction and classroom management," Caputo said, adding that elementary music lays the foundation for award-winning middle and high school programs. She urged the board to answer three questions: what is the plan, who developed it, and what are the mid- and long-term impacts.
Several music educators and parents echoed that concern. Jenna Gonyea, a band teacher at Corn Russell Middle School speaking on behalf of music educators, restated a district-alternative that would preserve half-time elementary music (4.75 FTE) at an estimated cost of $5,650,750 total FTE while saving the district roughly $650,750 compared with the administration's elimination plan. Gonyea said Oregon law requires arts instruction by properly certified individuals and argued the half-time plan would preserve the foundation for secondary programs and make full restoration easier later.
Paul Nicholas, a veteran Barlow High School band director, said he has seen long-term erosion of arts staffing and pleaded with the board to "find a way" to save elementary music and the supports that feed secondary programs.
Counseling staff also raised alarms. Andrea Parra, a Gresham High School counselor, said cuts remove 7 FTE across counseling and social work and will raise caseloads to roughly 160% of national standards, forcing staff to "triage" student needs and likely harming graduation outcomes.
Speakers highlighted alternatives and accountability. Several commenters asked the board to explain who developed the administration's plan and whether licensed specialists were consulted. Andrea Hauck pointed to district transfers into special reserves and questioned whether proposed staffing replacements with non-licensed assistants comply with state and federal rules.
Board materials and public remarks referenced the district's budget survey showing specials (which includes music) as a high priority, and staff acknowledged the difficult trade-offs in a constrained budget. Superintendent Tracy Klinger told the board the budget process aims to preserve long-term solvency and that every addition requires a reduction elsewhere; she also noted the district did not receive a $1,000,000 summer learning grant that had supported transition and summer programming.
The board did not adopt a final decision on elementary music at the May 7 meeting. Public commenters and union representatives asked the board to revisit options that would retain some licensed elementary music instruction, and several board members said they will continue to gather information before final budget adoption.
