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Post by title1parent on Apr 27, 2010 5:08:19 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=376348&src=76Dist. 204 still trying to save technique program from chopping block By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald 4/27/2010 After a third consecutive heated meeting to discuss potential changes to the $21.4 million budget cuts the district has proposed, Indian Prairie board members remain focused solely on crafting a scaled-down, cost-effective model of the endangered technique program. In addition to the daily band and orchestra rehearsals, technique classes provide instruction for groups of four to eight students to improve individual instrumental performance and the classes are scheduled on a rotating basis. Currently, band and orchestra students are scheduled into a technique class once per week in lieu of another class on their schedule. The rotation ensures no subject is missed more than once every four weeks. The most recent plan to save the program, Plan B as they call it, needs more work but board President Curt Bradshaw said it's "better" than the original plan that would have killed the individualized instruction all together. Plan B would require the reinstatement of four music staff members and the implementation of a $30 fee for all 3,500 instrumental music students in grades six through 12 to assist the district with additional costs. The plan also would reschedule the three-week introduction to the music program fifth-grade students take from September to January. The typical technique class size of four to eight students also would likely double. Board member Dawn DeSart said music and the ability to produce it with the award-winning style the district is accustomed to, is priceless, except for the $1.26 million price tag she put on that could be recouped with either administrative wage rollbacks and other cost-saving moves. Board members Alka Tyle and Cathy Piehl agreed the "value of music is unquestionable" but not at the risk of students being pulled out of their core classes at a rate of more than once every six weeks. Educators say they have about five weeks to find a happy solution for all involved in order to be ready for next school year. So they agreed to work up until the last moments with parents, other teachers and the community to find a way to make the program cost effective and while keeping students in their core classes as much as possible and will report back. "If someone has an idea, I don't care what they teach, said Mark Metzger. "That idea is welcome." Other portions of the $21.4 million austerity plan, including reducing the central office budgets by a total of 10 percent, renegotiating software licenses, not watering the lawns, eliminating towel service in P.E. classes, moving to a four-day workweek for the summer and cutting conference travel by 20 percent will continue to be implemented since no board members have voiced opposition to any cuts outside of saving the technique program.
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Post by warriormom on May 3, 2010 9:37:52 GMT -5
This email made its way around to me. Thought I would pass it along as I do happen to agree with it.
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Good evening! I appreciate all of the time you spend making District 204 such a great place for all of our 30,000 students. I know you give a lot of your time trying to make the best decisions for the students in our district. I know you have all had a lot of feedback about the music program (especially technique) as it relates to budget cuts. When people are passionate about something, they usually give their input. If 200 people who are passionate about technique give you their thoughts and opinions, it does not mean that the whole district is in agreement. That is a very small portion of students and parents who you represent. If you attend IPPC meetings on a regular basis, which I do, you would know that there is always feedback about the technique program. Parents are always expressing concerns about students being pulled from core or even encore classes to go to technique classes. The feedback there is that the music should be taken care of during the music class time and students should not be taken out of other classes. Honestly, this is one of the reasons that my 6th grade student does not participate in band or orchestra. I want you to know how I feel about music and technique and other extracurricular activities and I want you to understand that I probably represent a large group of individuals who have not contacted you because they are fine with the proposal to cut the technique or they might not even be aware of it. I consider the band and orchestra classes to be encore classes - similar to gym. In gym class you get a variety of sports and activities. My son happens to love soccer and really be pretty good at it. We pay approximately $2,000/year for him to play travel soccer so that he can improve his skills and play at the appropriate level of competition. That cost includes a paid professional coach, an average of 3 practices per week for 10 months out of the year, approximately 30 games and 4 tournaments each year. I do not expect the gym teachers to provide that level of training, development or coaching in a specific sport. I also do not expect the music teacher to provide that level of training on my dime. The band and orchestra programs provide a great overview, similar to a gym class, and if students are interested in more individualized instruction, they have the opportunity to pursue individual lessons. I do not think that having students pay for private music lessons to compete at a higher level is causing our music program in District 204 to "take a giant step backwards" nor does it "allow music to die for this district". In fact, if we provide this specialized training in music, I think we should consider providing this level of training for athletes, including soccer, basketball, tennis and even baseball at the middle school level. As a matter of fact, gym class makes my kid excited to get up and go to school in the morning - that is what excites all of my children to go to school. I agree with Alka Tyle that maybe students should not be pulled out of other classes for technique instruction and Cathy Piehl that teachers from other subject areas should be included in these discussions. Pulling students disrupts the other students in the class. The fact of the matter is that students are there to focus on their core classes. If there is an opportunity to pull students out of a core class to focus on an encore class lets take a look at a 20 minute session on individual soccer skills or 20 minutes on batting practice. I would like to close by pointing out that I took a trip to Springfield. I spoke with representatives. I encouraged them to restore education funding to it's current level, reprioritize spending and pass a one year budget. If that happens, I encourage you to all put that money to it's best use which is focusing on academics - reading, writing and mathematics. If you decide that music is a priority, maybe you should take another look at the athletic curriculum! Thank you for your time and enjoy your weekend! District 204 resident
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Post by momto4 on May 3, 2010 11:10:53 GMT -5
Warriormom - thanks for sharing. I hadn't seen this one and I happen to disagree.
Most music students do just fine in their curricular courses while occasionally missing each one for technique, and they do not miss the curricular course on a day when they really need to be there.
Music is not like sports or curricular classes, the students in the music program need technique in order to learn to play their instrument. If technique were to disappear entirely or be reduced as planned, then I am fairly certain the district's days of Grammy winning high school music programs that feed many students into music-related careers will be over. This is one of the things that our district does really well at now, and I'm sure we can argue all day as to how important music is or is not and it varies greatly by student. For example, the letter-writer's children love gym class, whereas some of my kids would rather be allowed to take another academic class than be forced to participate in PE.
The impact of the proposed changes to the music program makes me very upset, not with the school board, but with the state for putting our district and others in this position. Unless something changes, today's elementary students will not get to experience the great things of our current music program.
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Post by gatordog on May 3, 2010 12:43:27 GMT -5
..... The feedback there is that the music should be taken care of during the music class time and students should not be taken out of other classes. .... The band and orchestra programs provide a great overview, similar to a gym class, and if students are interested in more individualized instruction, they have the opportunity to pursue individual lessons. .... In fact, if we provide this specialized training in music, I think we should consider providing this level of training for athletes, ....... lets take a look at a 20 minute session on individual soccer skills or 20 minutes on batting practice. ..... If you decide that music is a priority, maybe you should take another look at the athletic curriculum! I disagree with this. The point where I disagree is that that there is some equivalency with sports, and that if music is treated separately then sports should be as well, with "extra" sports training within the school in the same way we have been doing it for music. First, lets take a big look at society. (I think this is an important point to consider). Is there some lacking of emphasis on sports in American society? Is there limitations on encouragements to motivate somebody to try sports or improve themselves as atheletes? I think the answer is pretty obvious here. Even if I had no children involved in music, I would pretty much stop right here and say I am glad the schools take it to an extra depth to support music improvements (and other arts as well). But to make it more specific, concerning private training opportunities, how much advertising do families get for athletic related opportunities (with big dollars attached, many times) as opposed to private music opportunities? Many more, I believe. A symptom of the overall societal emphasis. But let me get to the final specific point (and here I think the analogy DOES indeed apply). I fully appreciate and support the travel sports opportunities our kids have around here. And the reason simply is this (I am thinking teams sports here, but i am sure it applies to individuals) : if you really want to excel at a team sport, its not enough to "get better on your own". You need to play with a TEAM that is high level, and play against other TEAMS that are high level. This concept, is exactly followed in the technique classes in that you get to learn as a "team" with others playing your same instrument (percussion section, cellos, etc). I think that is a "one of a kind" opportunity, that CANNOT be replicated in private lessons. You learn about yourself, but in this kind of enviroment, you learn from others playing your instrument as well, from what they do well and from what they need to improve on. What I worry about is the overall "team" learning (entire band, orchestra) will be slowed down because we are giving up on the "section team" learning. And that will have to happen with the entire group (thereby slowing down progress for the entire group will the instructor works on a specific section). And the "section team" learning is a different angle than merely going off on your own for private lessons. So I raise here, "big picture" concern and a specific concern with the loss of technique. A final issue that I think makes this so important at the MS level....here is when students are "defining themselves" into what they want to more deeply pursue as HS students. I think private society has done a very good job of giving kids that opportunity if sports are their thing. But I think MS technique class is one of these unique things that really makes the difference in encouraging a large number of kids to really make music into their thing, if they are so inclined. But they wont really know that inclination without really digging into it. And I think technique is something that separates 204, we let these impressionable music students dig that much deeper, compared to other districts programs.
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Post by turkey on May 3, 2010 16:29:56 GMT -5
My thoughts on the music technique vs. sports analogy you are talking about:
* Technique is definitely required in sports as well as music...swing in tennis/golf, hurdling technique in track and field, passing technique in football, start/diving technique in swimming. So I think music and sports are equal in their need for technique to succeed.
* I actually think private society gives a great deal of attention to performing arts--musicians, bands, singers, actors, etc. Sure gives musicians alot more attention than it gives academic stars or visual artists!
* If our community does not provide a high quality music experience for groups (the "team" concept you are referring to in technique classes), then the community should focus its energy on providing that opportunity within the community, just like parents have done for travel sports teams. Most of those were started by a group of parents who wanted a higher quality opportunity for their children, and parents concerned about the music opportunities in our community could do the same. Do we have a Naperville Youth Orchestra? Do we have other music groups in our community? If not, I'd love to see all of this energy from music parents focused on providing that experience instead of asking the schools to provide it--no other group gets it through the school (travel sports teams, academic opportunities, etc).
I guess my main point is that I would love my children to have an opportunity to meet in small groups once or twice a week to delve deeply into their personal interests--science for one and writing for another--but as far as I know, those opportunities do not exist through our schools. So I have to admit I have a hard time feeling too bad about cutting music technique, or reducing it, when the opportunity to receive individualized (or small group) instruction in almost any other realm is not available to students in middle school except through extracurricular activities, or through the community's offerings.
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Post by momto4 on May 3, 2010 16:43:25 GMT -5
My thoughts on the music technique vs. sports analogy you are talking about: * Technique is definitely required in sports as well as music...swing in tennis/golf, hurdling technique in track and field, passing technique in football, start/diving technique in swimming. So I think music and sports are equal in their need for technique to succeed. * I actually think private society gives a great deal of attention to performing arts--musicians, bands, singers, actors, etc. Sure gives musicians alot more attention than it gives academic stars or visual artists! * If our community does not provide a high quality music experience for groups (the "team" concept you are referring to in technique classes), then the community should focus its energy on providing that opportunity within the community, just like parents have done for travel sports teams. Most of those were started by a group of parents who wanted a higher quality opportunity for their children, and parents concerned about the music opportunities in our community could do the same. Do we have a Naperville Youth Orchestra? Do we have other music groups in our community? If not, I'd love to see all of this energy from music parents focused on providing that experience instead of asking the schools to provide it--no other group gets it through the school (travel sports teams, academic opportunities, etc). I guess my main point is that I would love my children to have an opportunity to meet in small groups once or twice a week to delve deeply into their personal interests--science for one and writing for another--but as far as I know, those opportunities do not exist through our schools. So I have to admit I have a hard time feeling too bad about cutting music technique, or reducing it, when the opportunity to receive individualized (or small group) instruction in almost any other realm is not available to students in middle school except through extracurricular activities, or through the community's offerings. While I understand your point, I would suggest that PE differs from music performance in that PE is an overview of many different physical activities. We offer a rather full extra-curricular sports curriculum for kids who want to spend more time on a particular sport. If instead, kids were signing up for a full year of football or basketball or whatever during the school day, and were expected to perform that sport for the community on the basis of what is learned during the school day, then I would expect there would need to be opportunities to coach kids quite specifically for their positions and that these would occur somehow during that football or basketball class, or during another designated time such as lunch or study hall, or even as a pullout from another class if this sport was deemed to be one of the hallmarks of our school district. With orchestra or band, each part of the orchestra or band does need to know how to play their instrument, and students play the same instrument all year long. Yes, the community provides opportunities of sorts for young musicians. If our district wants to shift from having a nationally known music program to being mediocre or worse, then that's what will happen and rather than having a large percentage of students participating in music at schools there will be a small percent participating in community music. Anyone who has seen the tremendous results at the high school level and the number of students involved in high school and college level from our district, could not see this as anything but a really good thing for our students, our district, and our community as a whole. I just heard today of one of our really incredible middle school chorus teachers having accepted a position in 203 and it breaks my heart. (Not instrumental music, but I am worried about all music going downhill with these cuts)
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doc
Frosh
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Post by doc on May 3, 2010 16:51:55 GMT -5
Warriormom - thanks for sharing. I hadn't seen this one and I happen to disagree. Most music students do just fine in their curricular courses while occasionally missing each one for technique, and they do not miss the curricular course on a day when they really need to be there. Music is not like sports or curricular classes, the students in the music program need technique in order to learn to play their instrument. If technique were to disappear entirely or be reduced as planned, then I am fairly certain the district's days of Grammy winning high school music programs that feed many students into music-related careers will be over. This is one of the things that our district does really well at now, and I'm sure we can argue all day as to how important music is or is not and it varies greatly by student. For example, the letter-writer's children love gym class, whereas some of my kids would rather be allowed to take another academic class than be forced to participate in PE. The impact of the proposed changes to the music program makes me very upset, not with the school board, but with the state for putting our district and others in this position. Unless something changes, today's elementary students will not get to experience the great things of our current music program. There are likely to be future changes coming for sports also. ( many rumors - some of which will likely happen) Listen, I understand the concern over the music issue, but again it will likely be a matter of priorities very shortly financially- teaching the absolute basics- which neither music technique, nor sports techniques nor gym will likely be a part of, unless much additional funding is found. The Grammy award winning programs are absolutely nice to have, but just like there are kids that would rather not go to gym, or take certain 'sections' of gym, there are kids who are not into music either. There is pride in both, however I seem to remember when watching the Welcome to Waubonsie video in the WVHS gym with my 8th grader - what seemed like it represented the vast majority of the time spent on ? Warrior #1 ranked nationally girls soccer team. Each of those girls got taught some basics in school at one time or another- but their skills were honed thru private club/lessons - yet they pulled together for a few magical seasons. As far as award winning music days disappearing - not so sure, maybe you're right but also maybe not. Both my kids played (play) piano and where was that technique ? It was at Baldwin - that's where... Plenty of kids will still 'take' an instrument if their parents want them to. So yes there are many parallels between sports and music, placing one above the other or insistence that one must be in school whereas the other should be in private sessions is IMHO not going to be defendable either way. -- when we lose more sports teams ( soph perhaps) - or B teams, or maybe even MS sports in general ( there are districts that have done some of each of these so rumors here could also play out - especially if it gets worse) - there will be parents upset there also-- and examples of kids who excelled that played on those teams first- or might never have gotten interested.. no question.. -- we are going to live in different times going forward, spending has consequences - especially with the mismanagement in Springfield
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Post by mom24 on May 3, 2010 18:40:40 GMT -5
I have a child who is in orchestra and never has being pulled out of class been a problem for her. Since 5th grade, it has taught her to be responsible for any missed work and homework assignments. If anything, it has taught her responsibility. If kids have a test they of course stay in class and are dismissed from technique class. As far as children disrupting the class by leaving, clearly those who feel that way have never spent a day in the ES or MS classroom. Kids are coming and going more than you think, some for specials services like speech, ot/pt, etc.
As for why taxpayers shouldn't pay for technique, answer this...why do I as a taxpayer have to pay for some students in PA? Not all kids are able to be part of this. After all, like technique, if you think your child needs to be challenged more then that should be done outside of school as well. No where is their a state mandate that says we need to provide this, unlike special ed. If people are so concerned about students leaving for technique then what about the kids in ES who leave for PA pullout. I see no difference here.
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Post by turkey on May 3, 2010 19:17:13 GMT -5
I guess I think of meeting the educational needs of children, all children (including children with disabilities as well as gifted children), as the primary purpose of our public school system. I think music, art, drama, sports, speech, and all other "extracurricular" activities are so helpful to children, and can help them reach their potential. However, when our district is facing such a budget shortfall, I believe that focusing first on the core educational needs of all children is the appropriate strategy, as frustrating as that can be to all the children involved in extracurricular activities.
I am really disappointed that I am living in a district that is in this situation, particularly given its reputation and the property taxes we pay. I expected that my children would receive a top-notch education, with all the "extras"--music, art, drama, sports, etc. But that is unfortunately not what is happening anymore.
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Post by momto4 on May 4, 2010 10:48:41 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/2231032,New-plan-offered-save-D204-music_NA050410.article Another plan offered to save D204 music May 4, 2010 By KATHY CICHON kcichon@stmedianetwork.com Add a Plan C to the mix of possible scenarios for the future of middle school music technique classes in Indian Prairie District 204. On Monday night school officials unveiled the latest plan, developed by staff members and representatives from the Indian Prairie Education Association. The new proposal would nearly quadruple the proposed $30 student fee called for in Plan B and reduce the number of teachers laid off to nine from the original 19 proposed two months ago. "We do not have all the bugs worked out," said Martha Baumann, assistant superintendent for elementary leadership services. "There will no doubt be some refinements made." According to the latest plan, each student involved in instrumental activity would pay a $108 fee to help fund the cost of the staff members brought back. It would increase the technique class instruction that was cut under the earlier proposals. "This brings us to a staffing model that we believe, by clustering staff (grades) five through eight, and having some more flexibility of who we assign where in what building on what day, we're able to maintain the majority of what we currently deliver to students in large ensemble and small technique classes," said Mark Truckenbrod, district music coordinator. Truckenbrod estimated through Plan C the district will be able to provide between 80 and 90 percent of what is currently offered. While there will still be some trimming at the middle school level, Plan C will bring back a more comprehensive fifth grade music program, which was significantly scaled back in the proposed Plan B. Looking to trim $12.2 million from its 2011 budget to make up for anticipated state funding cuts, the district proposed eliminating middle school technique classes and laying off 19 music teachers earlier this year. After public outcry, Plan B was unveiled, which called for laying off 15 teachers, reducing the fifth grade instrumental program and increasing the average class size for middle school technique instruction. A $30 fee was also proposed for students who play an instrument in grades 6 through 12. According to the plan, the proposed fifth-grade instrumental program will include a two to three week introduction in the second quarter, in time for sixth-grade registration. In addition, students would receive weekly technique instruction during the fourth quarter and will have the option to continue technique and full ensemble instruction during a fee-based summer camp. But last week officials said they would continue to explore other possibilities, and Monday's plan was one staff seemed to support. "This is a plan we can make work," said Chip Staley, fine arts chair at Neuqua Valley High School. "It doesn't dismantle our program. I don't think five years from now we'll be coming back to you saying 'look what you've done to us.'" Board President Curt Bradshaw said "the linchpin to this is the fee that allows us to bring back eight additional staff members." Some board members expressed concerns about increasing the fee significantly from the earlier proposal. District officials again stressed those who have difficulty paying the fees will have assistance available. "If somebody can't afford those fees, there will be a way to get a scholarship for them," board member Dawn DeSart said. Earlier in the meeting, the board agreed to allow the district to work with the Indian Prairie Education Foundation to set up guidelines that would allow those wishing to donate to specify a certain area of interest, such as music or science.
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Post by momto4 on May 4, 2010 10:50:59 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=378155&src=10Indian Prairie Dist. 204 looking for fundraising ideas Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board members Monday asked the Indian Prairie Education Foundation to keep its eyes open for any fundraising opportunities that may present themselves. Board member Dawn DeSart said she would like to see a system that allows people to make program-specific donations in the district. "I don't know how the foundation works now, but individuals or groups of people should be able to put money in the bucket of something they're involved in - a library or a building or 'if I die I could will so much money to a school's LMC,'" DeSart said. Board President Curt Bradshaw agreed with the concept, but warned the Foundation is a separate group with its own level of autonomy. "From our perspective, people give to initiatives that are nearest and dearest to their heart so I would think it would make sense to arrange their business so you can give to science and technology initiatives and have a restricted gift to that category," he said. "The more we can customize this to the individual desires, pursuits and passions of people in the community, the more likely we are to connect people with projects." According to the Foundation's website, the group was formed to fund projects that enhance student development, encourage excellence through creative teaching and foster school and community partnerships.
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Post by momto4 on May 4, 2010 10:54:18 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=378100&src=10Will Plan C save Dist. 204's music technique program? The past week has been one of constant brainstorming as music and core educators continued their work to save Indian Prairie School District 204's music technique program. On Monday night, administrators and music department officials unveiled Plan C, the second plan presented since the district announced March 22 it would eliminate the program at the middle school level. The most recent plan reduces the number of teachers released from 19 in the initial proposal to 9. Of those 10 additional teachers, two would be specifically assigned to the elementary music program and eight would work where they were needed in the district's music program. Plan C also reinstates the middle school technique program to about 80-90 percent of its current instruction; reinstates the fifth-grade instrumental music program that had been restricted in a previous plan and charges a $108 fee annually for each sixth- through 12th-grade instrumental music students Some considerations for Plan C - which has not yet been finalized - include options for students to be pulled from their encore classes only, or from both core and encore classes. "By clustering staff at (grades) five through eight and having some more flexibility of who we assign to what building on what day, we're able to maintain a majority of what we're currently offering students with large ensemble and small technique classes which, in our opinion, is a wonderful thing," district music curriculum coordinator and Neuqua Valley Associate Principal Mark Truckenbrod said. "There are many, many details that will need to be ironed out." Currently, in addition to the daily band and orchestra rehearsals, technique classes provide instruction for groups of four to eight students to improve individual instrumental performance. The classes are scheduled on a rotating basis. Band and orchestra students are scheduled into a technique class once per week in lieu of another class on their schedule. The rotation ensures no subject is missed more than once every four weeks. Music Department Chairman Charles Staley spoke in support of Plan C, saying it was the best option given the district's budget constraints. "If you asked me 10 weeks ago if I thought we'd be here with an opportunity to talk about a plan to keep our program intact, I'd be happy to know that, so I'd say keeping it in perspective of what we've been dealing with - this plan is just brilliant," Staley said. "Given the tenuous status of our funding from the state, this is probably the best we can do." Some board members, however, insisted negotiations continue with core and encore staff and expressed concern the $108 fee may keep some students from returning to the program next year. "Obviously, the linchpin to this plan is the fee that allows us to bring back eight additional staff members," board President Curt Bradshaw said. "Will they view this as a good trade-off, the eight staff members for the $108 fee for the year?" Superintendent Kathryn Birkett reiterated that no student would be denied participation for not being able to afford fees. "I know we've had students who are horrified at some of the fees they're hearing about, so I think we're going to be looking at our booster groups and everybody out there to see if we can target to raise so many dollars for scholarships for our kids." Director for School Improvement Mike Popp said the group working out Plan C details now need to know how many staff members they can count on having back before the plan is finalized. The board is next scheduled to meet May 17.
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Post by incognito on May 5, 2010 21:26:42 GMT -5
-- when we lose more sports teams ( soph perhaps) - or B teams, or maybe even MS sports in general ( there are districts that have done some of each of these so rumors here could also play out - especially if it gets worse) - I don't see this happening in 204. Sounds like a Howie Crouse scare tactic to me. Aren't we still completing a full service 3rd high school compelte with a big swimming pool because "Naperville swims"? State funded programs will need to go first before sports: 1. ADK 2. Preschool bussing for special needs kids. 3. Preschool program, and many more programs that I don't even know about....
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