Rumor of cuts packs Dist. 57 meeting
Dozens of Mount Prospect students and parents gathered Thursday night at the District 57 board meeting to voice their concerns about rumored cuts to elementary school fine arts programs.
Facing imminent budget cuts, District 57 recently sent out a survey asking parents to prioritize school programs to help guide the board as it creates the budget for next year.
Cutting, or even trimming back, the money allocated to the district’s fine arts program has not been formally announced or proposed. However, concerned students and parents spoke for over an hour to the board, extolling the virtues of fine arts education and reminding board members abut the academic and social benefits reaped by students who participate in fine arts programs.
Others cautioned that such cuts could create permanent or long-lasting damage to the school district even after financial conditions improve.
“This is not a permanent downturn. The economy is going to come back,” Mount Prospect resident Paul Sneed said. “Once we cut a music program, an art program ... it will take years and years to make that come back.”
According to board President Joe Leane, District 57 spends less money per student than its neighboring school districts for the three elementary schools and one middle school it oversees.
“When you compare our district with districts that border us, (District 57) received $32,000 less per year per student, $6.4 million less per year (total) ... for the resources to educate our students,” Leane said.
Superintendent Elaine Aumiller assured the crowd that cutting fine arts programs was not something she or the board is supporting.
“There have been some facts made up in recent weeks. I never said I was going to cut (fine arts programs). I’m still not saying I’m cutting those programs,” Aumiller said. “You will find no stronger advocate for the performing arts than your superintendent. Everybody sitting around this board table is an advocate for the performing arts.”
Aumiller did, however, caution that the district is facing tough financial times and called on the public for help.
Fine arts teachers in District 57 “are outstanding educators,” she said. “I want to be able to pay them. I want to be able to pay them on time and I want to be able to pay them what they deserve and I can’t do that.
“Please help us so these marvelous educators get what they deserve.”