Students and community plead for reconsideration after band teacher layoff

During public forum on May 7, students and community members addressed the Smithfield School Committee to protest the nonrenewal of band teacher Jesus Fernandez.

Freshman Arlo Tibbets (S10) told the committee he and fellow students were "in grief" after the district informed the band program that Fernandez would not return. "They shattered her," he said, describing a teacher called from class to the principal’s office and the subsequent emotional reaction from students. He warned of lasting effects on the music program and urged officials to consider the consequences of the staffing decision.

Several community members and parents echoed those concerns, praising the music program’s recent achievements and criticizing the timing of personnel notices. One commenter, Alana Blakely (S9), said music was an important outlet for students and urged the committee not to cut the program.

Committee members and administrators responded that statutory notice deadlines and budget timelines constrained their options. A committee member (S2) said the district faces an estimated $800,000 gap with the town and that notices were issued to meet legal timelines tied to budget certainty; the chair and other members encouraged residents to communicate with the town council, which finalizes the town budget in mid‑June. Committee members emphasized that some notices could be reversed depending on the town council’s final decisions.

The committee did not change personnel actions during the meeting. Officials said they would continue budget discussions with the town council and encouraged public input.