Fox Point-Bayside Parents, Teachers Protest Music, Arts Cuts

Following hours of a standing-room only crowd of parents and teachers voicing their opposition to proposed changes to arts, music physical education and technology programs as well as possible staff layoffs, Bayside Middle School Principal Don Galster asked to be excused from the School Board meeting Monday night. 

"My heart is heavy," he said. "I need time to process what I've seen and heard this evening."

The crowd that swelled to about 150 laid into the Fox Point-Bayside School Board and administrators over the proposed changes for the 2013-14 school year that would reduce fifth-and sixth-grade physical education class time by 17 percent; fifth-and sixth-grade art and general music programs by 38 percent; and technology class time by 38 percent, according to Superintendent Rachel Boechler. 

Changes translate into a move from 3 days to 2-1/2 days a week for physical education, and four "specials" — art, music, technology and a new science-based problem-solving course centering on the arts — being offered quarterly instead of a trimester basis. Band and orchestra would be combined, one art class would be dropped, and the technology class would be cut back.

With the change, the alignment of the specials is needed to maintain class sizes around 25, instead of in the 30s. 

"Your mission statement clearly states that you will promote by example and instruct on values such as respect, responsibility, fairness, courage and perseverance. If that is your mission statement and you are proposing 38 percent cuts, you have missed by 38 percent," said a fiery David Braeger, a Milwaukee-area financial sector CEO and district parent. "A chief operating officer of a company would be fired. You have failed miserably, and you have failed my children."

Braeger, whose speech was met by a standing ovation by those who filled the Stormonth Elementary School cafeteria, said he is looking into recalling board members because they aren't competent to sit on the board. 

As a result of the scheduling changes, and decreases in program enrollment, 10 staff member in the arts, band and other district departments received preliminary layoff notices on Friday. 

"You have failed miserably, and you have failed my children."

Boechler said that in the wake of Act 10, the district made a commitment to teachers last year that staffing levels would remain the same, but with the disclaimer that staffing changes would need to be explored the following year. 

Lack of communication cited

Many of those who spoke Monday night cited the many studies that show the positive effects of the arts have on student achievement, and the need for the balance between the arts and academics.

One parent said she has a child with special needs, and art and music programs provide a course where he can be "mainstream."

"He can succeed and be mainstream, where he can't in a normal academic setting," she said. 

Bayside resident Pam Olson said she is really disappointed with the proposed changes, first and foremost, because of the fact that she found out about them through her daughter, who is Bayside Middle School student. 

Olson said the board and administration should seek feedback from parents and teachers. 

Ann Allen, a professional educator with children who have gone through the Fox Point-Bayside School District, said she has enjoyed the "rich array" of arts, music and physical education classes, which help build well-rounded students.

"A watered-down version of arts, music and PE will only serve to water down our children's overall educational experience," she said. 

A lot of misinformation

"I'm a strong believer in the arts, and wouldn't want to work in a district that doesn't have that belief system," Boechler said. "I think a lot of misinformation got out, based on personal impact on people. And when misinformation gets out, it spreads."

With a discussion about the changes not on the agenda, the School Board under state law couldn’t respond to comments or discuss the changes during Monday’s meeting. Boechler said the district is holding a town hall meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. to provide more accurate information on the changes. 

Based upon recommendations from a district committee that met from August to September, Boechler said the administration moved to add a flex period into the school day, which would focus on student intervention and provide an opportunity for students to receive extra help, and add more time for math. Additionally, the district wanted to create a two-period block of language arts classes, keep "specials" in the curriculum and keep recess.

"You obviously can't add two things, and not take anything out," she said. "Is there a reduction? Yes, I'm not going to pretend there isn't. But is it huge? No."