Band program will continue: Sask. school division document
The Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) is reversing its recent decision to cut the band program due to a budget shortfall of $7.1 million.
According to a document obtained by CBC News (that will go out to parents on Wednesday), there were many emails, letters, phone calls, and passionate pleas for band to continue in the division.
"Although the Board is facing severe financial hardship and is required to make many difficult reduction decisions, the Board will continue to provide financial support to keep the Band Music Programs operating in their current locations," the document says.
Shawna Langer, a grade 11 student who started a petition to save the band program, said she's surprised by the change.
"A lot of people didn't expect anything to come from the petition or contacting the division," Langer said. "As a student body, all of the band students are extremely happy ... those of us who know."
Langer said she assumes there will be some changes to the band program, but she's OK with that.
"It's a lot better than completely cutting it," she said.
Skepticism about letter
Not everyone is as optimistic as Langer.
Christine Felts, a parent with two children in the band program, told CBC News she doesn't trust the school division's intentions.
She said the changes have put her daughters, who are in grade 9 and 10 at Clavet Composite School, through an "emotional roller coaster" over the last few days. She said they're uneasy about what's to come.
Felts' daughters Kiara and Kyla performed in the East spring concert Monday. Many students and parents thought it would be the school band's last performance.
"We had so many tears at the end last night that people didn't see," Felts said. "The kids were crying. The kids were devastated."
Felts is on the parents' committee for the band program and said she will be asking the tough questions of the school board.
"I'm going to make sure these kids aren't forgotten," she said.
Originally the school division planned parent meetings, set for June 8 at Delisle Composite School and June 10 at South Corman Park School. According to the document, parent meetings will be postponed until September 2015.
The document also noted that financial difficulties the school division is facing have not been resolved.
CBC News contacted the school division Tuesday night, but it declined to comment.
