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Monday, February 8, 2010

Henry BOE takes a vote today to cut Orchestra Program, do they need to take budgeting courses?

The kids were given one-day notice of the board meeting to discuss cutting the Orchestra programs at all high schools I just posted the following at their FaceBook site:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=281760218575&ref=search&sid=1164014160.1393891337..1&v=info#!/group.php?gid=281760218575

Just invited 36 Friends from around Henry County. What I am most concerned about is that our BoE has known for a couple years the tax base was dwindling. Last year they tried to get a $256-million bond for new schools. Thankfully the referendum failed. Now they are trying to cut $46-million from the budget -- that i...s what I call great forethought and planning! How about looking at adminstrative staff salaries, costs of athletic programs, the counseling staff at every high school... hey even Mr Surma can take a pay cut. The last thing to go on the chopping block should be beneficial programs for outstanding students!!! It is simply wrong to penalize students for the board's failure to manage their $500-million-plus budget.

Larry Stanley
McDonough, GA
Cell: 404-425-2361
http://www.hccitizen.org/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "adeal0820@charter.net"
To: hc.citizen@hccitizen.org
Sent: Sun, February 7, 2010 6:52:46 PM
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Orchestra Update

My name is Meghan Deal, and I am a junior attending Union Grove High School. I am also an extremely active member of one of several Orchestra programs in Henry County, a program that is on the chopping block. The Henry County Board of Education has decided that to save money, the Orchestra program should be cut. We are doing everything in our power to try to prevent them from making such an irrational mistake. You met my fellow friends at the Kroger, and they gave me this e-mail address. I have forwarded you a parent letter that supplies Board of Education Member e-mail adresses. Please send e-mails, make phone calls, and sign the petition.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Please preserve the smiles of over 700 students here in Henry County.

Forever Grateful,
Meghan Deal

Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:18:05 -0800 (PST)
From: PAUL & JEANNE BOLTON Orchestra Update
On Thu, 2/4/10
From: Cindi Chambers
Subject: Orchestra Update

To: "Craig Chambers"Cindi Chambers"
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010, 7:57 AM

Dear Orchestra Parents,

After attending yesterday's School Board meeting, I am very concerned about the continued existence of the Orchestra Program in Henry County schools. The Board members will vote Monday (2/9) on whether or not to retain the Orchestra. It was obvious to me that from body language and wording that the vote will not be in our favor.

At this point, we, as a group (parents, students and other supporters), need to email or call the School
Board with concerns. Be aware that the School System is looking to cut 41 million dollars from the budget. Orchestra is self-sufficient. The county pays for the instructors salaries only. I am not sure that the school board understands the importance of a string program to the students that are involved. I did not hear of any athletic programs (or band/chorus) being cut or even trimmed. I feel that a cut of all programs in order for all programs to survive would be more equitable in this hard economic time.

We need the board to understand that these are the top academic students that will apply to major universities. They need the string program to help them spring board their futures when competing for coveted college acceptance and scholarships. A statistic I have seen states that "20% of Orchestra students are in the top 10% of their class, even though they make up less than 5% of the student population"...this is from a study performed by professors from Ohio State and Kent State (http://www.jstor.org/pss/3345761).

Here is the link to the Board of Education
http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/398board.htm

Please send emails and make phone calls to express your concerns and ask questions of your elected officials. They owe us answers.
My questions are:

1) What is the cost per orchestra student to the county vs. the cost per athlete?

2) How much does the school system spend to maintain the immaculate football and baseball fields?

3) What is the percentage of students that participate in orchestra that go on to enroll in college vs. the percentage that participate in athletics?

4) What is the percentage of students that receive scholarships vs. those that participate in athletics?

I have nothing against athletics and support them whole-heartedly. I certainly do not want to come across as attacking the valuable athletics programs at our schools. My concern is that these programs seem to have priority in situations like this, when maybe they should be more equal. I would be willing to bet that there was absolutely no study commissioned to look at the impact that orchestra has on a school system.

Also, there is a Facebook page that was created by a High school student to support the orchestra.

If you are on Facebook you should probably consider joining this group as it may be a good way to disseminate information. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=281760218575&ref=search&sid=1164014160.1393891337..1

We have 2 days to be heard. Feel free to copy and send to friends even it they are not orchestra parents, their support is needed.If we do not advocate for our children, no one else will.

Craig and Cindi Chambers

One person did send a message to all the BOE members today:
This is an urgent message.

Date: Monday, February 8, 2010 7:18 AM
From: A very concerned tax payer
To: Ray.Hudalla@henry.k12.ga.us, Pam.Nutt@henry.k12.ga.us, jbp@preston-cleveland.com, Charles.Vickery@henry.k12.ga.us, Erik.Charles@henry.k12.ga.us
Subject: WE NEED TO KEEP OUR ORCHESTRA IN THE BUDGET
Size: 1 KB
Dear Board: The parents of Henry County need , want and deserve answer's to the following questions before you vote today!

1) What is the cost per orchestra student to the county vs. the cost per athlete?

2) How much does the school system spend to maintain the immaculate football and baseball fields?

3) What is the percentage of students that participate in orchestra that go on to enroll in college vs. the percentage that participate in athletics?

4) What is the percentage of students that receive scholarships vs. those that participate in athletics?

Thank you,
A very concerned tax payer

1 comment:

The Doctor said...

We will see at the end of the day what type of representation we have in our school system. Most of this representation is about self and see what I can do in bringing in more money to squeeze the taxpayers on.