Students, parents and teachers urge Shelton School District to restore music and keep longtime band teacher

Dozens of students, parents and performing-arts staff told the Shelton School District board they want the district to restore music and arts classes cut since the pandemic and reverse a reassignment of a longtime band teacher.

At the public-comment portion of Thursday’s meeting, Sydney Evans, a parent with two children in the Shelton School District, said music and arts were ‘‘saving graces’’ for many students and described continued reductions in offerings across elementary and middle schools, including a lack of music or art teachers at Bordeaux Elementary and Evergreen. ‘‘If you cut these programs or make them largely inaccessible, those students still need to belong to something,’’ Evans said.

Student speakers described personal impact and anxiety about staff changes. Ray Leander, a student at Oak Bay Junior High, said the band teacher known in the district as Mr. Sanders ‘‘has helped me grow musically’’ and that he was told Sanders would no longer lead the band program. ‘‘I would like you to consider what I’ve said and maybe reconsider your decision,’’ Leander told the board.

Nick Sanders, speaking for the Shelton Education Association and identifying a membership of roughly 255, told the board a staff survey shows many certificated employees feel ‘‘overworked, undervalued and unsupported’’ after budget cuts, reductions in force and changes in evaluation. The SEA presented short-term steps (including superintendent engagement with classrooms and improved communication) and longer-term recommendations to rebuild trust.

Christina Lawson, the drama director at Shelton High School, said performing-arts offerings have been ‘‘systematically cut down’’ despite student demand. She listed course reductions and program losses — choir reduced to a single trimester, theater merged into one course, jazz and wind ensembles discontinued — and said after‑school programs alone cannot replace classes during the school day. ‘‘After-school programs are simply not enough,’’ Lawson said.

Parents and community members connected those program changes to broader district decisions. Pamela Bowererman, a 32-year resident and former educator, cited what she said were administrative raises and asked the board to consider administrative cost reductions before cutting programs that affect students directly. Some speakers asked board members to attend concerts and games as a show of support.

Board members responded during the later comment period by thanking speakers and promising follow-up. Director Davis asked staff for clarification on whether particular courses were reduced for lack of student interest or for staffing and budget reasons and requested more communication to the board about the specific course-level changes.

The board did not take a formal personnel vote during the meeting. Board members encouraged continued dialogue with SEA and staff; several directors praised the teachers and urged work over the summer to produce a plan. The district has not publicly announced a final reassignment or personnel action in the meeting record.

Community attendees asked for a public schedule or explanation of staffing changes affecting music so families can understand whether reductions are driven by budget, enrollment or reassignments. The board’s next steps, according to comments during the meeting, will include follow-up communications and requests to staff for precise course listings and staffing justifications.