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Multiple speakers urge board to restore Newberry band programs and consider marching band as PE credit
Summary
During public forum, parents, boosters and former students pressed the board to invest in band programs, citing student outcomes and director turnover; at least one speaker urged the district to evaluate state guidance to offer marching band for physical‑education credit.
A succession of public commenters at the April 27 board meeting urged Newberry County trustees to prioritize rebuilding band programs, expanding access to marching‑band instruction and supporting director retention.
Elena West, a longtime youth development professional, told the board a high‑quality band program supports leadership, discipline, attendance and graduation, and argued the district’s high proportion of students on free/reduced lunch makes school programs critical for access. Other speakers — including former booster presidents and alumni — described how band participation led to college scholarships, leadership roles and careers, and warned that turnover among band directors and insufficient funding have eroded program quality.
Melanie Thrower asked the board to reconsider offering marching band as a physical‑education credit, referencing the state law enacted in 2018 that allows districts to grant PE credit when program guidelines are met. “This is not a new or experimental idea,” Thrower said, asking the district to review models used elsewhere, form a study committee or establish an implementation timeline.
Board members and administrators acknowledged the concerns and said principals have some discretion on scheduling parent‑teacher conferences and that the district will review resource allocations as part of strategic planning and next year’s budget work sessions.
No formal policy decisions were made during the public‑comment period; the board directed staff to consider the input as they work through the strategic plan and upcoming budget discussions.
