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Gresham High senior’s petition draws thousands to oppose music cuts
Summary
A Gresham High senior told the board his petition opposing elementary music cuts and the loss of band/choir directors grew to 5,526 signatures, reflecting broad student and community mobilization.
Bryant Cruz Salazar, a graduating senior at Gresham High School, testified that he launched a petition opposing cuts to elementary music and to high-school band and choir directors. "It started slow but as more people knew it grew to 5,526 signatures," he said, describing rapid community uptake.
Salazar framed the effort as coming from students who value music education across ages and backgrounds; his testimony was echoed by parents and teachers who argued for alternatives to elimination. The petition size was presented as evidence of wider public support and was cited during multiple public comments urging the board to reconsider the budget proposal.
