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Public commenter urges RSU 40 board to preserve dedicated band room and follow through on music funding
Summary
At the meeting, Robert Smith urged the board to protect the district’s dedicated band room and to ensure the recent financial commitment to middle- and high-school music programming is translated into sustained scheduling, space and programmatic support.
A registered public commenter told the RSU 40 board that the district’s music program needs protected space and follow-through on budgetary commitments if it is to rebuild momentum.
Robert Smith, the sole public commenter at the meeting, said music had been ‘‘an important part’’ of his life and urged the board not to repurpose the middle school’s dedicated band room into another function. "It really just cannot be understated how important part it is and particularly in school programs," he told the board, describing the social and educational value of ensemble music.
Smith warned that converting the purpose-built band room into other uses while trying to reconstitute a band in a converted classroom would set the program back. He called for continued attention to scheduling so students have group rehearsal time and emphasized follow-through on the board’s recent budgetary commitment to a middle-school music position.
The superintendent responded that the concern was operational and promised to address it directly: "Operationally I'll just take care of it," the superintendent said in reply, signaling staff would examine space and scheduling options.
Board members and committee members who had toured the middle school’s facilities agreed the band room is a strong environment for music learning and said they want to see the program supported through both space and scheduling. Several speakers noted administrative turnover and urged the board and staff to sustain the commitment over the summer and into next year.
The comment concluded with board acknowledgement that the public’s email had been received and that staff would follow up on the operational issues raised.
