Advocating A CISD String Orchestra Program for Our Children
Advocating A CISD String Orchestra Program for Our Children
The CISD school trustees continue to be burdened by financial challenges created by our vulnerability to recapture (Robin Hood). The cost of orchestra instruments, such as basses and celli, music stands and chairs, can be addressed through a bond initiative. However, the cost of additional personnel comes from the part of the budget which is subject to recapture.Fortunately, there are creative ways to fund a school orchestra program. The addition of an orchestra program is most often challenging for school districts. However, each year school districts find ways to introduce this very important curriculum addition.
Coppell Strings will work with national organizations who have researched the costs of orchestra programs. We will have access to national consultants who stand ready to assist us preparing a plan to present to the community and the school trustees.
At this point in time, we can be certain that a few steps need to be taken by CISD.
1. We must learn how much a program costs.
CISD has never conducted a study of the cost associated with an orchestra program. At present, we do not know how much a fully vested program will cost. It is premature to set policy based on an assumption that we cannot afford to fund the program.2. Orchestra advocates maintain that a fully vested orchestra program results in a reduction of personnel costs.
Several national string and music advocacy groups have compiled information which offer surprising and often astounding revelations.3. Implement the recommendations of the 1999 FACCFor instance, there is research available which reveals that the effectiveness of a 6th grade band enrollment, which we currently employ in Coppell schools, only attracts 65% of the students who would have enrolled if the program was offered in 5th grade.
This means that if band and orchestra were offered in fifth grade, more students would enroll in music education. Band and orchestra enrollments would increase. More children who desired to be in band or orchestra would be given the opportunity to participate.
Doesn't that increase personnel costs?Not necessarily. Additional research shows that one music teacher is equal to 1.2 - 1.6 academic teachers. This suggests that by increasing enrollment in the music programs, the number of teachers required district-side is reduced dramatically.
CISD needs to research and review these items so the information can be used to create calculations that may help reduce personnel costs in the district.
In 1999, CISD created a Fine Arts Curriculum Committee comprised of music teachers and parents. Among the recommendations presented to the school trustees were the creation of a string program and the addition of a Fine Arts Coordinator (Director).4. Encourage and welcome creative ideas which advocate the addition of a strings program.The duties and responsibilities of a Fine Arts Director could be assigned to an existing administrator.
The primary purpose of an FA Director is to act as an impartial adjudicator [administrator] in the allocation of shared departmental resources. This adds a level of beauracracy which some think can be counter-productive. In our district, we need only address the responsibilities of an FA Director, and it seems plausible that this can be done effectively without adding personnel.
The school trustees of 1999 and those who serve today favor the creation of strings program. The fine arts teachers in our district do too. The idea to create a program has been stalemated since 1999. The school trustees should welcome and encourage dialogue in our community.5. Additional Funding SuggestionsFor instance, an after-school program might possibly be funded entirely by parents, but sponsored by the district. The district would provide the instruments and facilities, but the hiring of the instructor would be funded entirely by the parents.
A regular program might be offered during after school or zero period classes in the middle schools. The cost of those, taught by our existing teachers in those programs might even be less than one new teacher.
The “Adjunct” Faculty theory of colleges tends to staff a very large percentage of teachers in those situations as opposed to full time staff. The high school could hire one adjunct faculty to teach an orchestra situation from 3:50 to 5pm daily. If a JV type Orchestra was warranted, then a zero hour class for them could work.
Most local and smaller colleges staff at least 25% of their classes with outside personal that have a MA degree and can teach. They don’t have to pay benefits and just contract them to teach that class. The cost might be as low as $2000 to $3000 for a semester class.
The CHS band boosters currently fund an instructor, so it seems reasonable an orchestra booster group could too.A middle school offering only requires one teacher the first year. When the program is fully vested in the middle school level, two teachers would be needed.
The number of funding solutions available to CISD is greater than be listed here. Further research is warranted. The creation of a string orchestra program is a community project which offers significant benefits to the students, teachers, CISD district, parents and the community.
6. Conclusions
Coppell Strings intends to provide creative suggestions to the public and elected officials which advocates the implementation of a string orchestra program. CISD is encouraged to study the costs of implementing a program before creating policy based on a belief that the program is too expensive.The 1999 recommendations of the CISD created Fine Arts Committee should be implemented. Creative funding and staffing solutions can be implemented. National string organizations and advocacy groups are prepared and willing to assist our district in our shared hope to provide a broader offering of musical education to our children.
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