Board to Discuss Future of BSD Music Program

The Burlingame Elementary School District Board of Trustees will discuss the future of music education in the district at its meeting Tuesday night.

Board members will hear a report on the recently changed music schedule at and discuss whether to keep the proposed program in place.

The change in the program occurred due to budget reductions, which resulted in decreased music staffing at the middle school. The decision of cutting music staff was made because of the small number of students in the program and a plan for students still being able to participate in music classes with fewer sessions.

In an e-mail message sent out by BIS principal Pam Scott, she emphasized her goal to maintain a broad array of music classes appealing to many students, but noted that the music teacher, Mr. Simon, now works part time at BIS and part time in the elementary schools, instead of full time at BIS.

Scott said she was left with the task of cutting back from five music classes to three during the school day. She said current enrollment in each class and availability of classes to each student were taken into consideration in the decision.

For the 2012-2013 school year, 6th grade Concert Band, Guitar and Choir will be offered at BIS during the school day, as they are open to all students.

Intermediate Jazz Band and Advanced Jazz Band will continue to be offered but meet outside the regular school day, like 7th/8th grade Concert Band and 6th grade Jazz Band have done in the past (and will continue to do so).

All 3rd, 4th and 5th level students will have chorus for 30 minutes each week and 4th and 5th graders are given the option of instrumental music.

The board meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the district office.

Get daily local breaking news with our daily newsletter | Like Burlingame Patch on Facebook | Blog for Burlingame Patch | Follow Burlingame Patch on Twitter