Performing‑arts boosters urge Region 09 board to fix auditorium stage, lighting and sound

Parents and performing‑arts booster leaders urged the Regional School District 09 Board of Education to prioritize repairs to the high school auditorium, saying worn stage flooring and aging sound and lighting equipment are undermining student performances.

Joanna Olendorf, an Easton resident and parent, told the board, "I just really want to support them in any way possible," and described strong community backing for improvements to the stage and sound system. Penny Jacobus, co‑president of the Barlo Performing Arts Booster Club, said many lighting components are obsolete and that "the stage floor has, I call it, biting me because it's splintery," adding that the building's condition, not the students, drew criticism at recent local evaluations.

The board welcomed the comments and said the concerns would be evaluated through the district's capital‑planning process. Mike Dagostino, director of facilities, said the district completed previously approved security upgrades and is gathering pricing for stage refinishing and a sound‑system upgrade. "The stage floor can be repaired and refinished and those are things that will be considered by the FNO committee as part of the capital plan," Dagostino said.

Board members encouraged booster involvement during budget season but did not commit to immediate spending; they said projects will be prioritized within the multi‑year capital plan and reviewed at a special facilities meeting planned for January.

The board will consider funding and scheduling as part of its capital‑plan discussions; no formal capital appropriation was approved at this meeting.