Opinion : To the Editor: Band Boosters share concerns about VS music department

PARENTS! GRANDPARENTS! COMMUNITY FINE ARTS SUPPORTERS!

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS IN OUR FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT STAFF IN THE VS SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD. WE NEED YOU TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

There are changes recommended in the Fine Arts Staff in the Music department and it is Budget decision time for the VS Administration and School board. “No reduction in instruction time” was stated as reassurance to concerns about the impact of this staff reduction. Concerns are that with fewer teachers, existing teachers will have to take on more students and grade levels to fill the gap. There may be coverage for “class time”, but class time is only a part of what fine arts teachers do. There will be less time for Opus and All State auditions, Individual Lessons, Solos and Small Group Ensembles, Chamber Choir, and concert preparations. Also, less time invested in the Elementary and Middle School levels means a diminished number of kids participating in the High School Fine Arts Programs (Choral, Band, Speech, Drama, Art) and a diminished level of excellence. We are proud of these Current Programs of Excellence and only wish to let them continue to flourish and represent our district’s commitment to a well rounded education and experience that includes all the fine arts. We want to support and encourage our Administration and Board to be good stewards and make sure that full staffing for our children’s academics, fine arts, and sports will be a priority of the district.

These are all the groups that can be affected by staffing restructuring/reductions in the fine arts: Elementary Music Middle School Choirs Middle School Bands Pep Bands Instrumental Solo and Group Ensembles High School Concert Choirs Your Award Winning Chamber Choir Choral Solo and Group Ensembles Your Champion Jazz Band Award Winning Marching Band High Ranked Concert Band Musical Theatre Individual Speech Competitions One Acts Fall Musicals Spring Plays Drawing Painting Sculpting Textiles Pottery

What can you do to support your district’s fine arts?

PLEASE Contact Our Administrators and Board Members and share your support:

Mail A Letter: Central District Office , 1502 C Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349

1. BE A VOICE: Call or E-mail the District Administration office and voice your support 319-436-4728 Mary Jo Hainstock- Ext 101 maryjo.hainstock@vscsd.org , Matt Kingsbury: Ext 300 matt.kingsbury@vscsd.org Ryan Davis: Ext 303 ryan.davis@vscsd.org ; Jim Murray Ext 200 jim.murray@vscsd.org ; Shelly Petersen: Ext 400 shelly.petersen@vscsd.org ; Sheila Wendel Ext 500 sheila.wendel@vscsd.org Sue Gates: 319-472-2783 Rob Levis:319-472-3165; Mike Timmerman: 319-472-2234; Brenda Bartz: 319-472-4223 Tim Bird: 319-210-1045 Angela Hazen 319-453-2228 Megan Rickels:

2. Thank you, for your generous support for the kids pursuit of excellence and growth through Fine Arts.

Vinton Shellsburg Band Boosters: Nancy Jorgensen, Lissa Lippmann, Tammy Hicock, Chris Bendull