Results of School Board Action re: Arts Program at CHS

CHS currently has a staff of 3 art instructors. One has been let go already this year. The Budget Committee proposed axing a second position and leaving one instructor in place. There are currently (I forget the exact number) but it is in the neighborhood of the mid 500's students signed up for art classes.

The argument was made in a very dispassionate manner that the numbers don't add up. Dr. Clegg said that 300 students was the break-even point for a full-time staff person. 550 < 600, ergo only one full time staff person needed.

Students who wish to take more advanced art classes can and should take advantage of the classes offered at Ashford or CCC.

All of this completely misses the point of course. That art students are more often than not kids having a hard time finding their place in the high school hierarchy, and in life in general and who truly NEED the art program as a lifeline. That a vital art program is just, plain and simple part of a well-rounded educational system. That modern education without the arts, music, drama, etc. is just a testing mill cranking out book smart cultural illiterates.

Running an public education system is not like running a manufacturing operation. You can't just shutter an assembly line because demand tails off for a few quarters. Education is an investment. Arts programs are not glamor programs but they are needed. If the program is cut, demand will fall off even more as students are crowded out of what little exists or walk away because what little is offered doesn't meet their needs -- commercial art, photography, painting and print making are among the classes axed tonight.

Even if the lean times pass, starting the program up again once it has degenerated into a mere trifle will require making an investment that is not necessarily justified by the numbers. I don't see this board ever making that sort of commitment of resources.

The final motion was to only cut a half a position leaving 1.5 full-time positions at the high school. It passed 5-1 (Dave Frett was not present) with only Wendy Krajnovich voting against. This was certainly a victory of expediency over vision.

This will only get worse. Last year was the struggle to save the music and band programs in the middle school. Also this year the computer courses at Washington were cut. What next year?

As I said at the meeting, the district is building palaces for education with one hand and hollowing them out with the other.

There were probably 20-25 students there turned out in black T-shirts printed, Save The Arts. Some very passionate and tearful speeches made by these young people, some of whom made the same points that I did -- that this was a lifeline for them.

Also, although my statement was a bit long winded, Debra Olsen shut me down the moment any mention of Dr. Clegg's salary left my mouth. I did not mention any number, I merely said, "the very generous salary that the Citizens of Clinton pay you," and that was it, she cut in and asked me to allow others to have their say. I was mostly done anyway, but I found it pretty amusing. For the record, I had the someone dig into the Herald Archives for me today. Dr. Clegg's current pay package is $112,500 in salary and benefits. In addition this year he was awarded an $11,900 "annuity."