Keep The Teacher Or Face The Music

To the Editor:

There are so many things wrong with the union provisions of “last teacher in, first to go” approach to a fine teacher losing their job, that I could spend this letter only addressing that issue, but what I want to address is why the Board of Education wants to get rid of a music teacher to make way for two instructional leaders?

It is my understanding that the school board is proposing to lose a district level music teacher position (last in, Jane Matson, music teacher at Newtown High School) to afford to bring in two instructional leaders. I’m a little confused as to what an instructional leader is, and what their role will be in making a direct impact on my child, and why the Board of Education feels that a music teacher is less important than these two positions.

I googled “instructional leaders” to get some statistics on how they can help our schools and children get better grades, get accepted to more colleges, reduce drug usage… etc. Here are my findings... zero.

Then I googled music education to get some statistics on the same things. Here’s a small sampling of the many pages that I found: The American Music Conference reports that music makers are 52 percent more likely to attend college and higher education. A Rockefeller Foundation Study discovered that music majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical schools. From a USA Today report, “Musical training can be a big help in getting to the top of business and politics...(90 percent!) of more than 1,000 CEO’s and congressmen said playing music as a child helped them develop character and leadership skills.” A study at a high school in Texas showed that the kids involved in their music programs were 52 percent less likely to do drugs or drink alcohol. Another American Music Conference reports that income levels are highest among music making families. Music makers outnumber non-music makers by 14.3 percent.

Higher SAT scores, higher grades, higher test scores, higher reading scores. The benefits go on and on.

I would think Jane Matson’s position is critical to keep! Keep our music program intact. Do not fracture this wonderful department and leave these kids with a subpar music program at the high school. My daughter is enjoying freshman choir immensely with Mrs Matson as well as the theater program. She looks forward to those classes and is gaining the wonderful benefits of a music education!

These benefits are giving the Board of Education was it’s looking for without the need for “instructional leaders”! Great grades, pursuit of higher education, better test scores. I urge the Board of Education to keep the district level music position!

Linda Watson

51 High Rock Road, Sandy Hook                             January 24, 2012