MONROE - Several Monroe band supporters on Monday urged school officials to maintain three band director positions after learning of the school district's plan not to refill Randy Schneeberger's position.
Schneeberger, a band instructor at Monroe Middle School, is retiring this year. Of the 16 teachers retiring from the district at the end of the year, 10 positions will not be refilled, including the band director, as the board looks to slash costs in the face of a more than a $1.6 million deficit for next year.
Both Monroe High School band director Dan Henkel and middle school/high school band director Brian Bruggeman spoke about the band program at Monday's school board meeting.
"Re-hiring the position left open by Mr. Schneeberger's retirement is necessary to continue educational opportunities provided for the band students without interruption," Bruggeman said.
The Monroe band program was cut from four to three band directors in 2006 in response to budget concerns. A group called Community Helping Instrumental Music Education, or CHIME, formed to raise $140,000 to pay a fourth band instructor's salary and benefits package for three years.
In 2009, when those three years were up, the board opted not to add the fourth band instructor back.
Henkel cited the band program's ability to rekindle some programs and develop some new opportunities like the marching and pep bands. He also lauded the department for developing new programs without additional funding, such as the solo/ensemble participation and chamber music program.
"We have been proud of what we have been able to provide in the instrumental music department, especially given the challenges of reduced staffing we have faced the past two years," Henkel said. "While financial hardships haven't made the band department's job any easier, we know our kids are worth the investment."
The high school marching band program was cut several years ago. But Henkel said that the music department still was able to create a high school summer marching program knowing that summer programs receive state reimbursed subsidies, which are based on the number of student contact minutes per instructor. With two instructors and about 100 students, it allowed the band camp to fund itself. The band camp's financial success allowed the high school to return to marching again in the Cheese Days Parade as well as perform at the Veteran's Day Concert, Cheese Days, Chamber Concert and Memorial Day Parade and ceremony.
Sean Garde, a 2010 Monroe graduate and UW-Platteville music major, said he wants to protect the third position.
"It (band) gives you a sense of teamwork you can't get in the classroom," Garde said. "In band everything you play is as a team."
The board is expected to make a decision on the position cuts next month.
Schneeberger, a band instructor at Monroe Middle School, is retiring this year. Of the 16 teachers retiring from the district at the end of the year, 10 positions will not be refilled, including the band director, as the board looks to slash costs in the face of a more than a $1.6 million deficit for next year.
Both Monroe High School band director Dan Henkel and middle school/high school band director Brian Bruggeman spoke about the band program at Monday's school board meeting.
"Re-hiring the position left open by Mr. Schneeberger's retirement is necessary to continue educational opportunities provided for the band students without interruption," Bruggeman said.
The Monroe band program was cut from four to three band directors in 2006 in response to budget concerns. A group called Community Helping Instrumental Music Education, or CHIME, formed to raise $140,000 to pay a fourth band instructor's salary and benefits package for three years.
In 2009, when those three years were up, the board opted not to add the fourth band instructor back.
Henkel cited the band program's ability to rekindle some programs and develop some new opportunities like the marching and pep bands. He also lauded the department for developing new programs without additional funding, such as the solo/ensemble participation and chamber music program.
"We have been proud of what we have been able to provide in the instrumental music department, especially given the challenges of reduced staffing we have faced the past two years," Henkel said. "While financial hardships haven't made the band department's job any easier, we know our kids are worth the investment."
The high school marching band program was cut several years ago. But Henkel said that the music department still was able to create a high school summer marching program knowing that summer programs receive state reimbursed subsidies, which are based on the number of student contact minutes per instructor. With two instructors and about 100 students, it allowed the band camp to fund itself. The band camp's financial success allowed the high school to return to marching again in the Cheese Days Parade as well as perform at the Veteran's Day Concert, Cheese Days, Chamber Concert and Memorial Day Parade and ceremony.
Sean Garde, a 2010 Monroe graduate and UW-Platteville music major, said he wants to protect the third position.
"It (band) gives you a sense of teamwork you can't get in the classroom," Garde said. "In band everything you play is as a team."
The board is expected to make a decision on the position cuts next month.