Boosters Want CV Band Staff Increased

Central Valley High School Band Boosters asked the school board on Monday for a commitment to substantially increase the band program’s staff for the 2001-02 school year.

Currently, the district employs a director and a part-time assistant director to lead the high school’s program, which serves approximately 145 students. Contracts are already set for the 2000-01 school year.

“As a safety and quality of education issue, the ratios of students to staff need to be smaller to be in line with good learning,” said Rhonda Clapp, a spokeswoman for the band boosters. Other extra-curricular activities have a much smaller ratio defined by contract, she added.

The booster organization’s request gained urgency on Tuesday when Central Valley’s band director, Kent Meredith, resigned from his post of three years. Meredith was out of town and unavailable for comment.

“We’re going to miss Kent big time,” said Paul Sturm, Central Valley High principal. Sturm said he thought staffing issues played a crucial role in Meredith’s decision.

“I’m absolutely certain,” he said. “It is a very demanding job.”

CV High band students describe Meredith as a dedicated teacher. On nights when marching band practice ended late, Meredith sometimes stayed overnight on the band room floor, sophomore Becky Gant said.

Sturm acknowledged Meredith’s long hours and added that he supports the band boosters’s efforts to augment staff.

“It’s imperative that we define and support the program in such a way that we can make (the director’s job) a position that a person can stay in and enjoy,” he said.

The district will begin the search for a new band director right away.

At Monday’s school board meeting, board members expressed concern and support for the school’s award-winning band program.

“We want you to know we are so proud of all the students,” said board member Cynthia McMullen. “We’ll work together to find a way to make things better for our kids.”

At issue is the “excluded contract” - the union-negotiated document that sets staffing levels for extra-curricular activities in the district.

Under the contract, sports such as football and track have defined staff-to-student ratios. The track team, for instance, is guaranteed a head coach and two assistant coaches. Additional coaches are hired as the team grows, at a ratio of one for every 20 students.

Currently, CV High’s track team has 191 members and 8 coaches, one for every 23 players.

Although the band’s assistant director is employed under the excluded contract, no ratio is established for the program. Debate, yearbook, elementary school patrol, drill team and cheerleading are also without set numbers.

“We support establishing a ratio for all extra-curricular groups, including the band,” said Central Valley Superintendent Wally Stanley. “We just have to figure out what all the players need and then look at what kind of impact that would have where funding is not unlimited.”

Negotiations for the 2001-02 excluded contract will begin this winter, and Stanley said a band booster representative will be invited to participate.

For years, the band boosters have filled gaps by hiring clinicians with their own funds. During last year’s marching band season, the boosters hired experts to work with students on marching, percussion, and flags.

But these clinicians are not district employees, and so cannot work with students during off-hours when the band directors aren’t present.

“We are hopeful the district will sit down with us to ensure a bright, full band program,” said Clapp. “Turnover is hard for the children. They lose their band leader and friend.”