Protect music programs in Marin schools

It should come as no surprise that a proposal to cut back music programs at Tamalpais Union High School District campuses would generate a sizable outcry.

After all, the district, in pitching its tax measures, has cited the preservation of the district's art and music programs as among the priorities for the needed revenue.

The school board has agreed to hold a 60-day review of a staff recommendation to trim the equivalent of almost a halftime position. That would mean dropping two music classes.

That idea hit a sour note with many parents of the district's music students.

Staff has cited an expected reduction in music students at San Anselmo's Archie Williams High School as the rationale for the proposed cut. The number of music students at Archie Williams is projected to drop from 125 this year to 78 next year.

That's not an insignificant decrease.

At Redwood in Larkspur, the number is expected to increase to 160 students, a 42-student increase. Mill Valley's Tamalpais High is expected to see a nine-student increase, raising its number of music students to 116 for the 1923-24 school year.

Trustee Kevin Saavedra asked a good question: Why is the growth of students involved in music studies in middle schools not continuing into the district's high schools? He called it “a yawning gap.”

The district has a state deadline of May 15 to notify teachers of possible layoffs.

Trimming the budget based on reduced need makes sense.

But often a reduction in numbers doesn't translate clearly. Often, despite the reduced student interest, there is still a curricular need for specific classes.

The school board's decision to postpone action to further study the proposal makes sense, especially given the district's inherent pledge to taxpayers that music programs would be a priority.

District staff need to show how the reduction in staff time, the equivalent of two classes, would affect the availability of music courses, even introductory classes.

The rallying of parents to protect the program from cuts is admirable. Music is an important part of many students' high school education and it is obviously a priority.

These supporters deserve to know exactly what classes would be eliminated and specifically why they are being recommended to be cut. They deserve to know how those classes might be melded with others.

Those details have not been released. They are a huge missing piece in this debate.

These parents care. They want to know.

However iIf there is not enough student interest for a class, it doesn't make sense to continue it.

District staff need to make the case, with specifics.

Also, if the district needs to trim a half-time position, are there other places that could be made?

The district should also seek out private and public grants.

Over recent years, the district has had to make similarly tough decisions as it has had to shape its budget to stretches of declining enrollment and budgetary shortfalls, such as those that have led Tam to ask taxpayers to approve increases in the district's parcel tax.

Local voters have passed those taxes.

Many parents made the argument that the music programs are needed because of the instructional time lost during the pandemic.

Local schools should be building music programs, not cutting them.

Tam District trustees stressed their support for the district's music programs, but said they also have a responsibility to pay attention to the district's budget. It's their job to make those tough decisions, weighing needs and the inherent goal of providing all students with the best possible education.

In this debate, the trustees have the time to provide the public with facts and figures that detail the effects of the proposed reduction before they authorize delivering any pink slips.