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