Orchestra Saved!

Wonderful news!  The Northfield School Board voted to keep elementary orchestra for next year!

Sebastian and his cousins Frances and Hannah are among the district’s 271 orchestra students.

I didn’t make it to the board meeting last night, but I read about it on NorthfieldPatch this morning.  The recommendation to keep orchestra was included in the district’s $45.2 million budget, which the board approved unanimously.  

Here’s the article by Allison Schmitt.

I’m grateful to all the school board members and to Superintendent Chris Richardson for recognizing the value in the program.  I’m grateful to the district’s music teachers for their dedication and expertise.  I’m also grateful to all the parents and students who showed up at a public hearing last month or who wrote letters and emails to advocate for orchestra.  I hope everyone remembers that it’s important to keep advocating at the state level for K-12 education funding, so we aren’t in the same position this time next year.