Please rethink cuts in Hersey music

The plan to reduce Orchestra at Hersey High School to a part-time program taught by a part-time instructor is devastating. The current plan calls for elimination of the Guitar class and probable discontinuation of the Chamber and Jazz Orchestras.

These programs have been built up over decades to make District 214 and the Hersey Fine Arts Department among the best in the region and renowned nationwide. It is outrageous to cut this crown jewel of Hersey and District 214.

The Hersey orchestra and guitar students are devastated over losing their director, who they respect and look up to as an excellent leader and mentor. The talent that has been achieved in these students is awesome and accomplished only by a full-time dedicated professional director. I have seen several students crying over their loss.

Hersey received a silver medal in 2007 in U.S. News' America's Best High Schools and ranks highly among the top 18,000 high schools in the country for Advanced Placement class participation. A substantial 86.5 percent of students pass the AP exams.

The principal has emphasized the importance of AP classes and held an information night for parents in fall 2007.

It has been established that music students achieve higher grades in academics. It is straightforward that Hersey's very impressive AP record is fueled by our music students, made possible only by the Fine Arts programs such as Orchestra and Guitar. Reducing these programs will surely have a negative impact Hersey's ranking among the country's best high schools.

I have just one question: District 214, are you sure you want to do this?

Carol McMahon

Mount Prospect