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Wayne parents and students urge board to reverse cuts to strings program and staff amid layoff wave
Summary
Dozens of parents, students and educators told the Wayne Township Board of Education on May 15 that proposed cuts — including elimination of the district strings program and reductions to counseling staff — would harm students; speakers pressed the board for grants, hearings and alternatives as trustees cited budget constraints and an earlier failed referendum.
Dozens of students, parents and music educators appealed to the Wayne Township Board of Education at its May 15 meeting to halt or reverse planned cuts to the district strings program and recent staff reductions, saying the moves would deprive children of music instruction and key counseling services.
Jason Lewitz, a parent and supervisor of performing arts in Clifton Public Schools, told the board the district has “quietly dismantled” the strings program and said the district’s characterization that strings “only serves 2% of the population” lacked context. Lewitz said elementary strings enroll about 140 students across nine schools, middle‑school instruction is under‑resourced, and there is currently no clear high‑school strings pathway. “That figure lacks context,” he said, urging the board to reconsider staffing choices and investment.
Multiple students offered emotional testimony. Fifth‑grader Henry Pas told trustees he plays violin and pleaded, “Please don’t take away the strings program,” adding that…
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