Parcel tax is the key to return of music program
School district staff last week recommended including elementary music programs in the first “bundle” of areas to be reinstated if a proposed school funding initiative passes later this year.
Board members will debate the particulars of the three bundles — which they said will serve as a “road map” for possible program reinstatements — at their March 19 meeting and make a final decision before the initiative goes to voters in June.
The local school board is facing a $19 million reduction in state funding this year and next year, which has had a severe effect on programs and staff positions throughout the district.
Members of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District voted last month to ax next year’s music instruction for fourth and fifth grade students as part of a plan to slash the district’s budget by $13.7 million for the 2003-2004 school year.
The proposed $225 flat parcel tax — which would be levied on every property in Santa Monica and Malibu for the next six years — would generate approximately $6.5 million annually for the beleaguered school district.
Parents, teachers and students descended on Thursday’s school board meeting to plead with board members to keep the current music programs alive and healthy.
Andrew Brown, a trumpet player from McKinley Elementary School, was one of many young students who asked the board not to cut music from his school.
“I really enjoy music,” he said. “It makes me happy and my family very happy too.”
Madison Feddersen France, a ninth grader at Samohi who plays the cello and the French horn, spoke to the board on behalf of the younger musicians.
“If the children benefit from this, then why are you taking it away?” she asked. “Children are the future. If you take away the music then your future won’t be so bright.”
Parents and teachers who attended the meeting pointed to similar elementary school music cuts in the Redlands, Calif., school district and said the middle and high school music programs suffered drastically because of them.
Others attributed higher test scores among musician students to the programs and reminded the board that musical aptitude is set by age nine.
Still others argued on behalf of music for music’s sake, saying it held an intrinsic value as a “language of it’s own.”
Zena Joseph, the volunteer chair of the district’s Fine Arts Committee lauded the board’s decision to consider including music in the first bundle.
“We’re concerned about the cuts but we’re encouraged that we see four of the eliminated (music) areas in the first bundle,” she said. “We’re really hoping the parcel initiative will pass in June so we can see those music programs back, as well as other important programs (district wide).”
Tom Whaley, fine arts coordinator for the district, said he was glad to see his position included in the first bundle, but even happier that the district came out in support of music for elementary students.
“The music program gives all kids the opportunity to progress,” he said.
If the district receives the $3.5 million in additional revenue it is requesting from the City of Santa Monica and the City of Malibu, the board will reinstate a second bundle of previously cut positions and programs.
A third bundle proposed by district staff includes items that will be reinstated when the school board finds additional funding sources. School officials are currently exploring several avenues for generating more money.
Here is a breakdown of the district’s proposed bundles, as of last week.
• First bundle: 21 elementary teachers, two elementary assistant principals, one elementary principal, 20 middle school teachers, 25 high school teachers, two nurses, six and two-thirds music teachers, five and one-fifth music aides, the district’s fine arts coordinator, six grounds keepers, six administrative assistants, two computer service workers, two personnel workers and one career center specialist.
• Second bundle: Two educational services administrative positions, three and one-fifth nurses, nine elementary library coordinators, one and two-fifths middle school library assistants, two high school library assistants, 10.88 physical education aides and specialists, one health coordinator, three computer lab technicians, one and nine-tenths classroom aides, 10 grounds keepers, nine administrative assistants, four computer service workers, two personnel positions, one personnel commission office, one fiscal services officer, one textbook coordinator, and one-quarter of a superintendent’s office.
327,• Third bundle: One educational services administrator, one classified personnel director, seven and one-third athletic supporter positions, three grounds keepers, three administrative assistants, two purchasing positions, one-quarter of a cafeteria position and 24 special services and independent contractor contracts that total $1 million.
All of the above cuts — and more — have been approved for the 2003-2004 school year. Only if additional funding becomes available will these positions and programs be reinstated.
-Madison Feddersen France, Samohi ninth grader, cellist and French horn player
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 10, 2003. Read the original PDF.