Parents, teachers and students urge Asheville City Schools board to save orchestra program

Dozens of parents, students and district staff urged the Asheville City Schools board of education to reverse an administrative recommendation to eliminate the district’s orchestra/strings program, saying the change would harm student engagement, equity and community partnerships.

The most direct appeals came from teachers and families who described the program as life-changing and a recruitment tool. “Mr. Keel is a fantastic, inspirational, phenomenal teacher,” said Scott Johnson, a math teacher and parent, calling the strings program essential to keeping diverse students in the district’s schools. Several parents and students gave similar testimony: student Isaac Ferdon said strings made school the most fun he has ever had, and student Hayes Bailey said orchestra is “not extra” but the reason many students come to school.

Why it matters: Parents said the program provides community and stability for students who have experienced pandemic disruption and other trauma, and it offers opportunities that many families could not otherwise secure privately. Multiple speakers described broad community support — including a benefit concert and immediate willingness to fundraise — and said pausing the program risks dispersing the teacher, students and momentum.

Community members faulted the timing and communication. Heather M., a school nurse and parent, said she first learned of the program cut a week before school ended and that the board presentation contained a single slide stating “strings is gone” without explanation. Jeff Thompson said an email from the superintendent characterized the move as a staffing/programmatic recommendation made after consultation with principals and that parents were told the decision had already been made; he asked the board to clarify who has authority to eliminate an academic program and to provide the enrollment data and standards used to make the recommendation.

The board’s action and next steps: The orchestra topic did not produce an immediate board vote at the meeting. After public comment and later action items, a board member acknowledged the issue remained unresolved and requested the board address the orchestra program at its July meeting; two board members said they would work with staff over the summer on next steps. The chair also confirmed the board had pulled personnel from the consent agenda to discuss separately, though the board ultimately voted to approve the personnel report as presented.

What the public said they want: Parents and students asked for (1) the enrollment numbers and the criteria used to deem the program unsustainable, (2) a clear statement about whether this is an administrative recommendation or a final board decision, (3) alternatives considered before elimination, and (4) more time and transparency so the community can organize fundraising or other supports to sustain the program.

The board did not provide the enrollment threshold or a policy citation during the meeting. A spokesperson for the board said staff and board members would continue to confer and would return the topic to the July agenda for further consideration.