quick links to important information:
Below are the letters in full, with clickable links that may not be available in PDFs above.
Dear MBUSD Music Family and Friends,
To the many students, parents, alumni, and community members who submitted public comments in advance of Wednesday’s Board meeting - thank you so much! We are grateful you shared your stories and raised your voice in support of music in our district.
If you would like to submit a comment, you can do so until 4:00pm on Wednesday, April 15th. Here is the link you will need to submit a comment:
Link for submitting comments:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTsae9jhHd1JfKbFrHLFaKQyLwxvsX4mfKRA2IYB7_TArRuQ/viewform?fbzx=-1508664876724799193
You'll be asked to "Select an Item #" to address to the Board of Trustees for a specific item on the agenda. Please choose: F.1 (Board Subcommittee re. Music Programs)
Please be sure your comments are 400 words or less (as per Board guidelines).
Just a reminder: Please do not include any negative comments levied toward any individual board members, administrators, teachers or other programs. If you want more information on structuring a public comment, click HERE.
If you are able, please consider watching the Board meeting. Here are the details:
Meeting date & time:
5pm Wednesday, April 15th
The meeting can be viewed via Livestream through this link:
https://www.mbusd.org/
Under “Board” - “Board Meetings” - “View Board Meeting Live”
We have provided Dr. Benham’s report to the Administration and the Board. We have requested that:
1) Recent cuts to the music program be rescinded, or at least put on hold, until a Committee to Study the Music Program has been formed, is given the opportunity to study these cuts, and provide feedback. To do otherwise would undermine the Committee from the start; and
2) Some modifications be made to the structure of the proposed Committee to Study the Music Program. If you are interested in reading the specifics of that request, please click HERE for that content.
If you need additional information, please go to MiraCostaBands.com or www.manhattanbeachmusic.org.
Questions? Please reply to this email, or contact Mira Costa Band Boosters:
Carolyn Mukai at carolyn.mukai@verizon.net or
Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com
Thank you for your continued support of music in MBUSD!
To the many students, parents, alumni, and community members who submitted public comments in advance of Wednesday’s Board meeting - thank you so much! We are grateful you shared your stories and raised your voice in support of music in our district.
If you would like to submit a comment, you can do so until 4:00pm on Wednesday, April 15th. Here is the link you will need to submit a comment:
Link for submitting comments:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTsae9jhHd1JfKbFrHLFaKQyLwxvsX4mfKRA2IYB7_TArRuQ/viewform?fbzx=-1508664876724799193
You'll be asked to "Select an Item #" to address to the Board of Trustees for a specific item on the agenda. Please choose: F.1 (Board Subcommittee re. Music Programs)
Please be sure your comments are 400 words or less (as per Board guidelines).
Just a reminder: Please do not include any negative comments levied toward any individual board members, administrators, teachers or other programs. If you want more information on structuring a public comment, click HERE.
If you are able, please consider watching the Board meeting. Here are the details:
Meeting date & time:
5pm Wednesday, April 15th
The meeting can be viewed via Livestream through this link:
https://www.mbusd.org/
Under “Board” - “Board Meetings” - “View Board Meeting Live”
We have provided Dr. Benham’s report to the Administration and the Board. We have requested that:
1) Recent cuts to the music program be rescinded, or at least put on hold, until a Committee to Study the Music Program has been formed, is given the opportunity to study these cuts, and provide feedback. To do otherwise would undermine the Committee from the start; and
2) Some modifications be made to the structure of the proposed Committee to Study the Music Program. If you are interested in reading the specifics of that request, please click HERE for that content.
If you need additional information, please go to MiraCostaBands.com or www.manhattanbeachmusic.org.
Questions? Please reply to this email, or contact Mira Costa Band Boosters:
Carolyn Mukai at carolyn.mukai@verizon.net or
Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com
Thank you for your continued support of music in MBUSD!
1st letter from MBUSD music coalition
Dear MBUSD Music Families and Friends,
We value and are grateful for your support for our music program over the years. As you have heard, the current district budget cuts are threatening the viability of our music program.
As you know, Dr. John Benham, a national music education expert, was recently brought in to examine these budget cuts, assess the status of MBUSD music program, and propose clear, proven solutions to the current issues. His report is attached here.
This report provides data-supported and research-driven in-depth evaluation and analysis of the MBUSD music program, and highlights important issues in the program along with strategic and structural recommendations. It is our goal to collaboratively resolve these issues in partnership with the District Administration and the School Board.
We hope you will review this report and help champion the unified efforts of choir, band and orchestra families to save and strengthen our music program for all our students, families, and the wider community. This report will also be made available on the Mira Costa Band, Choir and Orchestra Boosters websites as well as on manhattanbeachmusic.org.
We will be in touch again later this evening with information on the upcoming April 15th School Board meeting, and how you can voice your concerns and support through submitting public comments in advance and also attending the online School Board meeting on the 15th.
Best regards,
MBUSD Music Coalition
————————————--
For more information, please go to:
MiraCostaBands.com
Email: carolyn.mukai @verizon.net or Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com
Manhattan Beach Music
website: www.manhattanbeachmusic.org
email: music.advocacy@manhattanbeachmusic.org
We value and are grateful for your support for our music program over the years. As you have heard, the current district budget cuts are threatening the viability of our music program.
As you know, Dr. John Benham, a national music education expert, was recently brought in to examine these budget cuts, assess the status of MBUSD music program, and propose clear, proven solutions to the current issues. His report is attached here.
This report provides data-supported and research-driven in-depth evaluation and analysis of the MBUSD music program, and highlights important issues in the program along with strategic and structural recommendations. It is our goal to collaboratively resolve these issues in partnership with the District Administration and the School Board.
We hope you will review this report and help champion the unified efforts of choir, band and orchestra families to save and strengthen our music program for all our students, families, and the wider community. This report will also be made available on the Mira Costa Band, Choir and Orchestra Boosters websites as well as on manhattanbeachmusic.org.
We will be in touch again later this evening with information on the upcoming April 15th School Board meeting, and how you can voice your concerns and support through submitting public comments in advance and also attending the online School Board meeting on the 15th.
Best regards,
MBUSD Music Coalition
————————————--
For more information, please go to:
MiraCostaBands.com
Email: carolyn.mukai @verizon.net or Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com
Manhattan Beach Music
website: www.manhattanbeachmusic.org
email: music.advocacy@manhattanbeachmusic.org
REPORT summary
Dear Music Family and Friends,
Thank you for your ongoing support of the MBUSD Music Program. Below is a brief summary of the report compiled by national music expert, Dr. John Benham, detailing the cuts which have been made to the program and the profound and devastating effect on the program if steps are not taken now to reverse them. Please read and help us save our music program!
(If you'd prefer to view the full report, click here).
There is an online school board meeting coming up next Wednesday, April 15th. Please consider submitting a public comment in advance of the meeting to voice your concerns about the program cuts, and please attend the online meeting. A meeting agenda and links to submitting your comment and viewing the meeting will be distributed in the next few days.
For more info, go to MiraCostaBands.com or www.manhattanbeachmusic.org
Or contact Mira Costa Band Boosters:
Carolyn Mukai at carolyn.Mukai@verizon.net
Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com
Thank you again for your support of music in MBUSD!
The MBUSD Music Parent Coalition
Did you know?
• The cutting of music classes will soon lead to the collapse of our music program.
• A single music class can teach up to twice as many students as any other class, which means it can be almost half the cost of any other subject.
• There are MANY proven benefits to music (i.e., improved academic performance, increased levels of social-emotional wellness, and enhanced cognitive brain development), but even if there weren't, it would still make sense to keep all our music classes and expand the music program to include as many students as possible, as this would free up funds to invest in other subjects by reducing class sizes in those subjects.
On the flip side, cutting music now is a lose, lose situation for the future:
• Reduced # of music classes = increased cost to the school district (music students will have to take classes in other subjects, and with smaller class capacity in those subjects, more teachers will be required to teach them, which means more teacher salary cost $$$).
• The level of music training, as well as academic and social-emotional learning, will decrease, and student advantages (i.e., increased college acceptances) that pertain to learning music will be diminished.
• And that’s even before we talk about more families leaving the district as a result of the loss of the music program and the financial implications of that.
Report Summary
• The MBUSD music program is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the premier programs in the United States, culminating with the High School Music Program being awarded a Grammy, recognizing it as one of the top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education.
• However, in the last few years, prior to the 2019-2020 academic year, there has been a systemic decline in the apparent support of the MBUSD administration, which has had devastating impacts on the ability of students to continue participation and subsequently resulted in declining enrollments:
• Music Appreciation was eliminated as a high school course option.
• The reduction of one middle school choir required the teacher to place boys and girls in the same ensemble, contrary to best educational practices.
• Elementary school concert performances by middle school and/or high school ensembles have been reduced, even though these were during regularly scheduled music times. These performing experiences are very valuable for the older students as well as those in the elementary grades.
• Music teachers have been prevented from interacting with parents about scheduling their students in music classes at the middle school.
• Music classes have been eliminated when teachers were on leave.
• Parents and students indicated that guidance counselors in both middle school and high school have discouraged students from taking music and, instead, were encouraged to take the wheel or other electives in its place.
• Grade 6 middle school choir was inadvertently left off the registration sheet, and when informed immediately about the error was refused in the request to put it back on. There has been a 40% reduction in middle school choir offerings in the last two years.
• Teachers and parents who have repeatedly requested meetings with members of the administration to discuss the music program have been regularly refused.
• There is a lack of adequate facilities (usage) and equipment, e.g. stage lighting, for middle school concerts.
• In addition, in the past 2 months, in its February 26 and March 4 (2020) meetings, the School Board made the following cuts:
• 50% reduction to the Mira Costa Choir Program and 50% reduction to the Mira Costa Orchestra program.
• Elimination of the elementary music teacher position for 1st and 2nd grades.
• Elimination of the music assistant position for all music programs (choir, band, and orchestra) grades 3 through 5.
• Cutting of Zero period for 6th grade at MBMS, which may have an impact on the music program going forward, as Zero period is required for all 6th grade students who wish to participate in music and also take a second elective.
• Cuts have been applied arbitrarily, without consultation with either the music faculty or significant community input, and without consideration of:
• the ability of students to continue to participate in the music program;
• the short- and long-term impacts on the budget;
• elimination of 22% of the entire music faculty has been implemented at a significantly greater percentage than any other single curricular area.
• The School Board spent approximately 18 minutes during the February 26th board meeting discussing the elimination of Zero Period PE for grade 6 students, which appeared to be a spontaneous insertion into the proposed reductions. Little discussion was held on the potential or specific impacts on the grade 6 music curriculum or its residual impact on the program in grades 6-12. For the administration and school board to take away the second elective option for all grade 6 students for a mere $16,696 in program cost without adequate input from the music teachers and community seems precipitous.
• Discussion on reductions to the music program lasted less than 5 minutes at the February 26th board meeting, with no specific recognition of the implications of the decision.
• There is no mention of the reductions to the high school music program in either the February 26th or the March 4th School Board meeting, and it is likely that the board was unaware that the administrative recommendation included those cuts or it surely would have become part of the discussion.
• Smaller ensemble classes have been cut without considering that smaller music classes fulfill a vital role in the development of the advanced students. It is similar to other academic areas in which the district strives to provide options for lower enrollments in advanced classes.
• There is no specific administrative oversight of the program, student outcomes, or the faculty. Therefore, there is no advocate for the program, making it an easy target for attack and/or neglect when other issues arise such as the elimination of 6th grade Zero Period PE. Whether this individual is an administrative position or teaching assignment is not the primary issue. The issue is that no one is in charge.
• There is a lack of communication about the music program between administrative levels. There is also a lack of participation and communication with music teachers and the community. The rights and responsibilities of the various constituents in the educational and citizen community have been circumvented by the administration and school board, either by default or intent.
• The recommendation of the administration, as approved by the school board, demonstrates an attitude relegating music education to extra-curricular and expendable, denying all the research, decisions at the federal level (ESSA) and recommendations of national administrative organizations (ASCD). In general, the music program as designed fails to meet basic national standards for music education. One major example is the failure to provide equal access to the various aspects of the music program for all students.
• There is clear evidence that the music program is in need of complete review. The qualitative level of excellence achieved by the few students remaining in the program by the high school years is, without question, a tribute to the perseverance of both the students and the teachers. However, the quantitative characteristics of the program indicate the presence of significant factors that at least inhibit, if not prevent, student options to participate in the music program. It is possible, in fact probable, that the current reductions recommended to and approved by school board action forecast a continued decline in student participation leading to the potential collapse of the entire program. The current situation is unsustainable.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
While the wisdom of the approved reductions in the music program are at best questionable from a financial validity, the resulting devastation to the music curriculum and the lifetime loss of opportunity to the students is without justification.
The community recognizes the need for fiscal responsibility within the school district in a time of difficult funding.
The community recognizes that a strong music program is important to the image and economy of the school district and the community.
The community recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong music program for the social-emotional, academic, and intellectual development of the student.
The community recognizes that parents of music students make significant financial investments in the school district with the rental/purchase and maintenance of their own music instruments and the raising of funds to assist in the operation of the music program.
The community recognizes that there will be a significant decline in student participation should the district consider any reductions in the music curriculum.
The community recognizes the potential for the collapse of the entire music program.
The community recognizes that without such a prestigious and high-achieving program, enrollment in the district would likely decline, leading to further reduction in revenues from the state, as well as lower donations to MBEF, which would, in turn, lead to further cuts in a dangerous downward spiral.
The community recognizes the potential for increasing student participation in band, orchestra, and choir, and its financial advantage to the district.
The community recognizes the potential for the music program to be used to increase enrollment through increasing the number of out-of-district permits provided at all levels and thus further increase revenue.
Therefore, it is with careful consideration that we request:
• the formation of a Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding the music program;
• that the school board and administration rescind, or at least put on hold, its actions approving any reductions in the music curriculum until this Task Force can make its recommendations to the Board.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the MBUSD Music Program. Below is a brief summary of the report compiled by national music expert, Dr. John Benham, detailing the cuts which have been made to the program and the profound and devastating effect on the program if steps are not taken now to reverse them. Please read and help us save our music program!
(If you'd prefer to view the full report, click here).
There is an online school board meeting coming up next Wednesday, April 15th. Please consider submitting a public comment in advance of the meeting to voice your concerns about the program cuts, and please attend the online meeting. A meeting agenda and links to submitting your comment and viewing the meeting will be distributed in the next few days.
For more info, go to MiraCostaBands.com or www.manhattanbeachmusic.org
Or contact Mira Costa Band Boosters:
Carolyn Mukai at carolyn.Mukai@verizon.net
Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com
Thank you again for your support of music in MBUSD!
The MBUSD Music Parent Coalition
Did you know?
• The cutting of music classes will soon lead to the collapse of our music program.
• A single music class can teach up to twice as many students as any other class, which means it can be almost half the cost of any other subject.
• There are MANY proven benefits to music (i.e., improved academic performance, increased levels of social-emotional wellness, and enhanced cognitive brain development), but even if there weren't, it would still make sense to keep all our music classes and expand the music program to include as many students as possible, as this would free up funds to invest in other subjects by reducing class sizes in those subjects.
On the flip side, cutting music now is a lose, lose situation for the future:
• Reduced # of music classes = increased cost to the school district (music students will have to take classes in other subjects, and with smaller class capacity in those subjects, more teachers will be required to teach them, which means more teacher salary cost $$$).
• The level of music training, as well as academic and social-emotional learning, will decrease, and student advantages (i.e., increased college acceptances) that pertain to learning music will be diminished.
• And that’s even before we talk about more families leaving the district as a result of the loss of the music program and the financial implications of that.
Report Summary
• The MBUSD music program is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the premier programs in the United States, culminating with the High School Music Program being awarded a Grammy, recognizing it as one of the top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education.
• However, in the last few years, prior to the 2019-2020 academic year, there has been a systemic decline in the apparent support of the MBUSD administration, which has had devastating impacts on the ability of students to continue participation and subsequently resulted in declining enrollments:
• Music Appreciation was eliminated as a high school course option.
• The reduction of one middle school choir required the teacher to place boys and girls in the same ensemble, contrary to best educational practices.
• Elementary school concert performances by middle school and/or high school ensembles have been reduced, even though these were during regularly scheduled music times. These performing experiences are very valuable for the older students as well as those in the elementary grades.
• Music teachers have been prevented from interacting with parents about scheduling their students in music classes at the middle school.
• Music classes have been eliminated when teachers were on leave.
• Parents and students indicated that guidance counselors in both middle school and high school have discouraged students from taking music and, instead, were encouraged to take the wheel or other electives in its place.
• Grade 6 middle school choir was inadvertently left off the registration sheet, and when informed immediately about the error was refused in the request to put it back on. There has been a 40% reduction in middle school choir offerings in the last two years.
• Teachers and parents who have repeatedly requested meetings with members of the administration to discuss the music program have been regularly refused.
• There is a lack of adequate facilities (usage) and equipment, e.g. stage lighting, for middle school concerts.
• In addition, in the past 2 months, in its February 26 and March 4 (2020) meetings, the School Board made the following cuts:
• 50% reduction to the Mira Costa Choir Program and 50% reduction to the Mira Costa Orchestra program.
• Elimination of the elementary music teacher position for 1st and 2nd grades.
• Elimination of the music assistant position for all music programs (choir, band, and orchestra) grades 3 through 5.
• Cutting of Zero period for 6th grade at MBMS, which may have an impact on the music program going forward, as Zero period is required for all 6th grade students who wish to participate in music and also take a second elective.
• Cuts have been applied arbitrarily, without consultation with either the music faculty or significant community input, and without consideration of:
• the ability of students to continue to participate in the music program;
• the short- and long-term impacts on the budget;
• elimination of 22% of the entire music faculty has been implemented at a significantly greater percentage than any other single curricular area.
• The School Board spent approximately 18 minutes during the February 26th board meeting discussing the elimination of Zero Period PE for grade 6 students, which appeared to be a spontaneous insertion into the proposed reductions. Little discussion was held on the potential or specific impacts on the grade 6 music curriculum or its residual impact on the program in grades 6-12. For the administration and school board to take away the second elective option for all grade 6 students for a mere $16,696 in program cost without adequate input from the music teachers and community seems precipitous.
• Discussion on reductions to the music program lasted less than 5 minutes at the February 26th board meeting, with no specific recognition of the implications of the decision.
• There is no mention of the reductions to the high school music program in either the February 26th or the March 4th School Board meeting, and it is likely that the board was unaware that the administrative recommendation included those cuts or it surely would have become part of the discussion.
• Smaller ensemble classes have been cut without considering that smaller music classes fulfill a vital role in the development of the advanced students. It is similar to other academic areas in which the district strives to provide options for lower enrollments in advanced classes.
• There is no specific administrative oversight of the program, student outcomes, or the faculty. Therefore, there is no advocate for the program, making it an easy target for attack and/or neglect when other issues arise such as the elimination of 6th grade Zero Period PE. Whether this individual is an administrative position or teaching assignment is not the primary issue. The issue is that no one is in charge.
• There is a lack of communication about the music program between administrative levels. There is also a lack of participation and communication with music teachers and the community. The rights and responsibilities of the various constituents in the educational and citizen community have been circumvented by the administration and school board, either by default or intent.
• The recommendation of the administration, as approved by the school board, demonstrates an attitude relegating music education to extra-curricular and expendable, denying all the research, decisions at the federal level (ESSA) and recommendations of national administrative organizations (ASCD). In general, the music program as designed fails to meet basic national standards for music education. One major example is the failure to provide equal access to the various aspects of the music program for all students.
• There is clear evidence that the music program is in need of complete review. The qualitative level of excellence achieved by the few students remaining in the program by the high school years is, without question, a tribute to the perseverance of both the students and the teachers. However, the quantitative characteristics of the program indicate the presence of significant factors that at least inhibit, if not prevent, student options to participate in the music program. It is possible, in fact probable, that the current reductions recommended to and approved by school board action forecast a continued decline in student participation leading to the potential collapse of the entire program. The current situation is unsustainable.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
While the wisdom of the approved reductions in the music program are at best questionable from a financial validity, the resulting devastation to the music curriculum and the lifetime loss of opportunity to the students is without justification.
The community recognizes the need for fiscal responsibility within the school district in a time of difficult funding.
The community recognizes that a strong music program is important to the image and economy of the school district and the community.
The community recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong music program for the social-emotional, academic, and intellectual development of the student.
The community recognizes that parents of music students make significant financial investments in the school district with the rental/purchase and maintenance of their own music instruments and the raising of funds to assist in the operation of the music program.
The community recognizes that there will be a significant decline in student participation should the district consider any reductions in the music curriculum.
The community recognizes the potential for the collapse of the entire music program.
The community recognizes that without such a prestigious and high-achieving program, enrollment in the district would likely decline, leading to further reduction in revenues from the state, as well as lower donations to MBEF, which would, in turn, lead to further cuts in a dangerous downward spiral.
The community recognizes the potential for increasing student participation in band, orchestra, and choir, and its financial advantage to the district.
The community recognizes the potential for the music program to be used to increase enrollment through increasing the number of out-of-district permits provided at all levels and thus further increase revenue.
Therefore, it is with careful consideration that we request:
• the formation of a Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding the music program;
• that the school board and administration rescind, or at least put on hold, its actions approving any reductions in the music curriculum until this Task Force can make its recommendations to the Board.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Hello Parents, and Supporters of the MBUSD Music Program,
Thank you to all of you who were able to be a part of the various teleconference calls with Dr. Benham. It was wonderful to have over 200 people join the Town Hall on Saturday. By now, you should have received Dr. Benham’s report (sent under separate cover; also available by clicking HERE. Even if you weren't able to participate on the calls, please continue reading this message and consider being part of our advocacy effort to help reinstate the recent cuts which have been made to our district’s music program.
The report has been sent to every School Board member as well as the senior members of the administration and all school principals. It is supposed to be an agenda item at the April 15th board meeting. However, until the Agenda is published (it normally should be available by Friday or over the weekend at the latest), we won’t know for certain.
Public Comment Letters Needed for 4/15 Board Meeting:
The next step in our advocacy effort is for as many people as possible to submit public comments at the April 15th board meeting. As soon as the agenda for this meeting is published, we will forward it to you, as well as the link for submitting your public comments.
As it relates to your public comment, the following are a few general guidelines:
Public Comment Letter Template:
Some of you have asked some guidance in writing your public comment letter. The following are some guidelines to assist you:
Paragraph 1
State who you are and your connection to the music program (Student, Parent, Former Student or Parent, or Community Supporter). Please use the umbrella term “music” rather than band, choir or orchestra in this opening section because it is consistent with our unified approach.
Paragraph 2
Share your personal experiences with the music program. These include:
Please be as authentic as possible. It is important to bring your own unique voice, experience and perspective to the board! We also encourage each individual to speak up by submitting their own public comment. A parent’s reasons for valuing the program are often different from a student’s. It is our hope that all interested voices will be shared and heard. In this paragraph, it is certainly appropriate to name the specific music program(s) you have experience in (band, choir or orchestra).
Paragraph 3
Describe your “call to action” for the board. In this paragraph, please let the board know how you would like them to proceed. As was mentioned in the report, as well as during the Town Hall, we will be asking for the Board to form a Task Force to study all issues raised in Dr. Benham’s Report in greater depth including, but not limited to:
If you need additional information, please feel free to go to MiraCostaBands.com. We will also be posting this template and Dr. Benham’s full report on these sites:
www.MCHSOrchestra.com
www.MiraCostaBands.com
www.MiraCostaChoirs.org
www.ManhattanBeachMusic.org
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us by replying to this email or contacting Carolyn Mukai at carolyn.mukai@gmail.com or Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your continued support of the Manhattan Beach Music Program!
The MBUSD Music Parent Coalition
Thank you to all of you who were able to be a part of the various teleconference calls with Dr. Benham. It was wonderful to have over 200 people join the Town Hall on Saturday. By now, you should have received Dr. Benham’s report (sent under separate cover; also available by clicking HERE. Even if you weren't able to participate on the calls, please continue reading this message and consider being part of our advocacy effort to help reinstate the recent cuts which have been made to our district’s music program.
The report has been sent to every School Board member as well as the senior members of the administration and all school principals. It is supposed to be an agenda item at the April 15th board meeting. However, until the Agenda is published (it normally should be available by Friday or over the weekend at the latest), we won’t know for certain.
Public Comment Letters Needed for 4/15 Board Meeting:
The next step in our advocacy effort is for as many people as possible to submit public comments at the April 15th board meeting. As soon as the agenda for this meeting is published, we will forward it to you, as well as the link for submitting your public comments.
As it relates to your public comment, the following are a few general guidelines:
- While there is no minimum length, your submission should be no longer than 400 words. Succinct letters might have a greater impact;
- The form will ask you to input the agenda item to which your letter refers (assuming this issue is on the agenda). Please make sure that you include the agenda number;
- The deadline to submit your letter is normally 1 hour before the meeting. However, please submit as soon as practical and, ideally, by noon on the day of the meeting (4/15);
- Please do not include any negative comments levied toward any board members, administrators, teachers or other programs. The focus of your letter should be constructive and reflect the positives of the music program (see below). As Dr. Benham reminded all of us, and which is included in his report, a strong music program also strengthens other programs. Its strength does not need to come at the expense of any other program.
Public Comment Letter Template:
Some of you have asked some guidance in writing your public comment letter. The following are some guidelines to assist you:
Paragraph 1
State who you are and your connection to the music program (Student, Parent, Former Student or Parent, or Community Supporter). Please use the umbrella term “music” rather than band, choir or orchestra in this opening section because it is consistent with our unified approach.
Paragraph 2
Share your personal experiences with the music program. These include:
- How have you or your child benefitted from the music program (personal growth, development, academically, social wellness, college applications)?
- Have you or your child learned better time management skills that have helped you in other areas of your life?
- Have the benefits derived from the music program helped you / your child in other areas of his/her/their life?
Please be as authentic as possible. It is important to bring your own unique voice, experience and perspective to the board! We also encourage each individual to speak up by submitting their own public comment. A parent’s reasons for valuing the program are often different from a student’s. It is our hope that all interested voices will be shared and heard. In this paragraph, it is certainly appropriate to name the specific music program(s) you have experience in (band, choir or orchestra).
Paragraph 3
Describe your “call to action” for the board. In this paragraph, please let the board know how you would like them to proceed. As was mentioned in the report, as well as during the Town Hall, we will be asking for the Board to form a Task Force to study all issues raised in Dr. Benham’s Report in greater depth including, but not limited to:
- Analyze the costs / benefits of the music program from an academic, financial and social wellness standpoint.
- Analyze all of the issues raised in Dr. Benham’s report.
- Make recommendations to reinforce the music program’s status as a core curriculum program beginning at the elementary school level and continuing through the high school level rather than, as it appears to be treated now, simply an extra curricular class on par with the wheel.
- That the school board and administration rescind, or at least put on hold, its actions approving any reductions in the music curriculum until this Task Force can make its recommendations to the Board.
- And that all stakeholders, including parents and teachers, be included on the Task Force, representing all music programs at all grade levels.
If you need additional information, please feel free to go to MiraCostaBands.com. We will also be posting this template and Dr. Benham’s full report on these sites:
www.MCHSOrchestra.com
www.MiraCostaBands.com
www.MiraCostaChoirs.org
www.ManhattanBeachMusic.org
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us by replying to this email or contacting Carolyn Mukai at carolyn.mukai@gmail.com or Michele Gentille at mgband@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your continued support of the Manhattan Beach Music Program!
The MBUSD Music Parent Coalition
letter TO STUDENTS
Hi everyone!
As you have probably heard recently, the MBUSD board approved district-wide budget cuts affecting the elementary through high school music programs. In the coming months, teachers will be fired, fewer periods of music will be offered (K-12), and ensemble sizes will increase. These approved budget cuts will affect you and especially the future of our very successful band program, as well as the MBUSD music program as a whole.
I am writing to you today to call us all to action and to hopefully inspire you to write your own letter to help us overturn the budget cuts. MBUSD states on their website that they represent not only the district staff, but also the teachers, parents, and us students. In this process to cut our music funds, they did not hear our voice. We are a group of 179 students with an that has not been heard, and our job today is to make ourselves louder!
Just last week the MBUSD board cut the MBMS zero period in one meeting without proposing the plan to the public. Parents, middle school teachers, and students had no input on this decision, leaving the public powerless. Cutting zero period will directly impact how many middle schoolers can take band, which is a guaranteed decrease to new Costa band members in the coming years. If we want this to change, we need to let the board know.
If you care about the success of our music program, want to guarantee the opportunity to participate in a thriving program for current elementary and middle schoolers, and want to be a part of this change, then please consider writing a public comment to the MBUSD board.
Writing this letter can be quick yet extremely powerful. With everyone social distancing right now, it could only take you just 10 minutes to make a difference. I suggest including who you are (name, grade, involvement in band), why the band program is important to you, and why the budget cuts will hurt the future of music education in Manhattan Beach. Letters should be 400 words or less. Your letter should be much shorter than this block of text!
The MBUSD music budget is being reviewed at the district meeting on Wednesday April 15th, so be sure to submit a letter before Tuesday if you want to possibly change the outcome! If you are seeing this message later than that, letters are always welcome; the budget issue will likely span many months and will be open for review.
Once you have written your letter, here's what you need to do to make your voice as loud as possible:
1. This is the most important. If you are writing your letter before April 15th, use this official form to submit a MBUSD board meeting public comment. Press next, select agenda item # F.1 (Board Subcommittee re: Music Programs), and paste your letter as a comment. Be aware, there is a 400 word maximum. With this form your letter will appear before the board members during their public meeting on Wednesday which I encourage you all to attend!
2. Email your letter to the following 5 board members: Dr. Matthews, and his assistant (include all on the same email or email them separately. Copy and paste letter text and send as an email):
matthews@mbusd.org, hhoffman@mbusd.org, kkomatinsky@mbusd.org, bfournell@mbusd.org, jfenton@mbusd.org, speel@mbusd.org, jcochran@mbusd.org
You can find the 5 board members information here:
3. Submit a community feedback form about the budget on the MBUSD website here (copy and paste your letter, takes 10 seconds)
4. Share these instructions with your parents, siblings, friends, community members, or anybody that you think could say something personal about what the band program means to them. Tell your mom to post on Facebook! If you know the mayor, tell them to write a letter about why they love the band!
Here are some excellent sample letters graciously provided by Ryan Koch, Evanne Rochelson, and Elsa Kim. These are perfect examples, and your letters do not need to be as long or as personal as these. Anything helps!
If you need any more help writing a letter, please refer to this website created by the booster parent programs for MBUSD band, orchestra, and choir: https://manhattanbeachmusic.org/budget-cuts-faq.
There is nothing you can do that would hurt our efforts. Of course writing a letter is optional, but I am asking that you please take the time to at least write a few sentences to the board or even copy and paste this text to your parents. Anything you do will help the program.
This is a fully student-led and parent-led process. Your parents, booster parents, me, and the rest of leadership are the only ones asking you to take action. Please understand that Mr. Carlson is not involved; I have written this on my own accord. There is no assignment or extra credit for writing a letter, but everyone a part of our amazing program will thank you for your support.
In unsure times such as these, people have many questions. Will we have a final concert or banquet? When will marching band season start? I cannot answer any of these questions because we know too little about when COVID-19 will slow down, but be assured that we will end our school year with something great and everyone will be together.
All of you have something special to share. Everyone in our program has a story from our band that impacted their experience in high school, or beyond. Sharing this story with the people in power through a letter is what will allow us to make our voices heard. If you want to share your band story with me or Mr. Carlson, please do so!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If I inspired you to reach out and write a letter, then I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us. Feel free to ask me or anyone else in leadership if you have any questions. Also let me know if you end up writing a letter; I would love to hear about it! Your efforts will not go unrecognized. Thanks again :)
Onward and Upward,
Dexter Brown
President of Bands, Mira Costa High School
(310) 616-6729
dexter@thebrowns.com
As you have probably heard recently, the MBUSD board approved district-wide budget cuts affecting the elementary through high school music programs. In the coming months, teachers will be fired, fewer periods of music will be offered (K-12), and ensemble sizes will increase. These approved budget cuts will affect you and especially the future of our very successful band program, as well as the MBUSD music program as a whole.
I am writing to you today to call us all to action and to hopefully inspire you to write your own letter to help us overturn the budget cuts. MBUSD states on their website that they represent not only the district staff, but also the teachers, parents, and us students. In this process to cut our music funds, they did not hear our voice. We are a group of 179 students with an that has not been heard, and our job today is to make ourselves louder!
Just last week the MBUSD board cut the MBMS zero period in one meeting without proposing the plan to the public. Parents, middle school teachers, and students had no input on this decision, leaving the public powerless. Cutting zero period will directly impact how many middle schoolers can take band, which is a guaranteed decrease to new Costa band members in the coming years. If we want this to change, we need to let the board know.
If you care about the success of our music program, want to guarantee the opportunity to participate in a thriving program for current elementary and middle schoolers, and want to be a part of this change, then please consider writing a public comment to the MBUSD board.
Writing this letter can be quick yet extremely powerful. With everyone social distancing right now, it could only take you just 10 minutes to make a difference. I suggest including who you are (name, grade, involvement in band), why the band program is important to you, and why the budget cuts will hurt the future of music education in Manhattan Beach. Letters should be 400 words or less. Your letter should be much shorter than this block of text!
The MBUSD music budget is being reviewed at the district meeting on Wednesday April 15th, so be sure to submit a letter before Tuesday if you want to possibly change the outcome! If you are seeing this message later than that, letters are always welcome; the budget issue will likely span many months and will be open for review.
Once you have written your letter, here's what you need to do to make your voice as loud as possible:
1. This is the most important. If you are writing your letter before April 15th, use this official form to submit a MBUSD board meeting public comment. Press next, select agenda item # F.1 (Board Subcommittee re: Music Programs), and paste your letter as a comment. Be aware, there is a 400 word maximum. With this form your letter will appear before the board members during their public meeting on Wednesday which I encourage you all to attend!
2. Email your letter to the following 5 board members: Dr. Matthews, and his assistant (include all on the same email or email them separately. Copy and paste letter text and send as an email):
matthews@mbusd.org, hhoffman@mbusd.org, kkomatinsky@mbusd.org, bfournell@mbusd.org, jfenton@mbusd.org, speel@mbusd.org, jcochran@mbusd.org
You can find the 5 board members information here:
3. Submit a community feedback form about the budget on the MBUSD website here (copy and paste your letter, takes 10 seconds)
4. Share these instructions with your parents, siblings, friends, community members, or anybody that you think could say something personal about what the band program means to them. Tell your mom to post on Facebook! If you know the mayor, tell them to write a letter about why they love the band!
Here are some excellent sample letters graciously provided by Ryan Koch, Evanne Rochelson, and Elsa Kim. These are perfect examples, and your letters do not need to be as long or as personal as these. Anything helps!
If you need any more help writing a letter, please refer to this website created by the booster parent programs for MBUSD band, orchestra, and choir: https://manhattanbeachmusic.org/budget-cuts-faq.
There is nothing you can do that would hurt our efforts. Of course writing a letter is optional, but I am asking that you please take the time to at least write a few sentences to the board or even copy and paste this text to your parents. Anything you do will help the program.
This is a fully student-led and parent-led process. Your parents, booster parents, me, and the rest of leadership are the only ones asking you to take action. Please understand that Mr. Carlson is not involved; I have written this on my own accord. There is no assignment or extra credit for writing a letter, but everyone a part of our amazing program will thank you for your support.
In unsure times such as these, people have many questions. Will we have a final concert or banquet? When will marching band season start? I cannot answer any of these questions because we know too little about when COVID-19 will slow down, but be assured that we will end our school year with something great and everyone will be together.
All of you have something special to share. Everyone in our program has a story from our band that impacted their experience in high school, or beyond. Sharing this story with the people in power through a letter is what will allow us to make our voices heard. If you want to share your band story with me or Mr. Carlson, please do so!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If I inspired you to reach out and write a letter, then I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us. Feel free to ask me or anyone else in leadership if you have any questions. Also let me know if you end up writing a letter; I would love to hear about it! Your efforts will not go unrecognized. Thanks again :)
Onward and Upward,
Dexter Brown
President of Bands, Mira Costa High School
(310) 616-6729
dexter@thebrowns.com
