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Parents and students press East Otero board to hire full-time band director and restore funding
Summary
Band students and parents described lost competitions, missing instruments and reduced fundraising tied to lack of a permanent band director; parents asked the district to actively recruit and fund a full-time director and consider bolstering music instruction at lower grades to rebuild the program.
Multiple students and parents urged the board to address longstanding staffing and funding gaps in the district's band and music programs. Charles, a student who identified himself during the public-comment period, said the Tiger Pride marching band has endured repeated funding cuts that prevented instrument purchases, repairs and competition attendance.
A parent representing the Tiger Band said last year's departure of the band director left the program scrambling: students missed registration deadlines for regionals, lost opportunities to qualify for state, and missed typical homecoming recognition. "We are significantl[y] limited by what appears to be a lack of proper staffing," the parent said, adding that the interim duties currently fall to the choir/music teacher and are unsustainable.
Board members responded that posting and filling a dedicated band-director position is the primary solution. Superintendent Dr. Blinko and other board members said they will post the band position and consider options such as combining junior- and senior-high responsibilities or shifting the current music teacher to more classroom-focused roles to reestablish a pipeline of younger students into band.
The board acknowledged fundraising shortfalls stemming from no concessions this season and discussed external supports, including Education Through Music Colorado, a nonprofit that helps districts recruit music staff. Parents asked for the district to prioritize filling a permanent music/band director position so that instruments can be purchased, repairs addressed and competitions reinstated.
Board members praised the students' professionalism and said they took the concerns seriously; no formal vote on funding was recorded during the meeting, but the board outlined next steps to advertise and recruit for the role.
