MONROE - Strike up the band - marching band is returning to the Monroe music program.
As part of the instrumental music department's plan, marching band, which was cut several years ago as a result of budget constraints, will be revived as part of the curriculum. Another major component of the plan is the decision that each of the Monroe's band teachers will work at both Monroe High School and Monroe Middle School.
Monroe's three band teachers and administration have been discussing teaching assignments and scheduling in the wake of the school board's decision in May to not retain a fourth band instructor.
The band program was cut from three to four instructors in 2006 in reaction to budget problems. But a group calling itself Community Helping Instrumental Music Education, or CHIME, raised donations to fund the fourth position for three years. That time was up this year.
Despite vocal opposition from many residents, the school board voted in May not to fund the fourth position.
Longtime band instructors Tom Schilt and Randy Sievert retired this June. Brian Bruggeman was hired as the third instructor, joining Randy Schneeberger and Dan Henkel. Schneeberger will serve as department head.
The three were unable to reach a consensus on how to assign teaching duties, so they asked administrators to step in. They met in June with Jennifer Thayer, former director of curriculum and instruction; MHS principal Mark Burandt; MMS principal Lynne Wheeler; and Cory Hirsbrunner, the current director of curriculum. Burandt and Wheeler told school board members Monday the group's preference was to have each staff member work at both buildings. That way, each "will have a vested interest at all levels." School board members liked the plan, calling it a creative approach to the issue.
The teachers also recommended the district re-introduce marching band into the curriculum. Hirsbrunner said the details are yet to be worked out, but instructors are looking at integrating marching band into the curriculum as early as this fall.
Superintendent Larry Brown said he is not concerned that turning to administration to settle disagreements will become a routine in the band department. "They are starting to build a relationship of working together," he said, and looked at the plan formulated with administration members as a collaborative effort.
The teachers will share a prep time, which will help build their collaborative approach to instruction, Wheeler said.
She added the timing on the band changes work well, as MMS and MHS is working on a more seamless approach to instruction between the two schools.
As part of the instrumental music department's plan, marching band, which was cut several years ago as a result of budget constraints, will be revived as part of the curriculum. Another major component of the plan is the decision that each of the Monroe's band teachers will work at both Monroe High School and Monroe Middle School.
Monroe's three band teachers and administration have been discussing teaching assignments and scheduling in the wake of the school board's decision in May to not retain a fourth band instructor.
The band program was cut from three to four instructors in 2006 in reaction to budget problems. But a group calling itself Community Helping Instrumental Music Education, or CHIME, raised donations to fund the fourth position for three years. That time was up this year.
Despite vocal opposition from many residents, the school board voted in May not to fund the fourth position.
Longtime band instructors Tom Schilt and Randy Sievert retired this June. Brian Bruggeman was hired as the third instructor, joining Randy Schneeberger and Dan Henkel. Schneeberger will serve as department head.
The three were unable to reach a consensus on how to assign teaching duties, so they asked administrators to step in. They met in June with Jennifer Thayer, former director of curriculum and instruction; MHS principal Mark Burandt; MMS principal Lynne Wheeler; and Cory Hirsbrunner, the current director of curriculum. Burandt and Wheeler told school board members Monday the group's preference was to have each staff member work at both buildings. That way, each "will have a vested interest at all levels." School board members liked the plan, calling it a creative approach to the issue.
The teachers also recommended the district re-introduce marching band into the curriculum. Hirsbrunner said the details are yet to be worked out, but instructors are looking at integrating marching band into the curriculum as early as this fall.
Superintendent Larry Brown said he is not concerned that turning to administration to settle disagreements will become a routine in the band department. "They are starting to build a relationship of working together," he said, and looked at the plan formulated with administration members as a collaborative effort.
The teachers will share a prep time, which will help build their collaborative approach to instruction, Wheeler said.
She added the timing on the band changes work well, as MMS and MHS is working on a more seamless approach to instruction between the two schools.