Date: Fri 03-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Band-Parents-Association

Full Text:

Band Parents Association Split Threatens Organization

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

A major rift has emerged among members of the Newtown High School Band

Parents' Association (BPA) that many feel could eventually destroy the

organization if not remedied soon.

Personality conflicts and philosophical differences are cited by those

involved as being the main causes for the split, which began more than two

years ago. The organization has been responsible for raising nearly $50,000

per year to support one of New England's most well-decorated and respected

marching bands.

For years, the BPA effectively drove the band program, which is a for-credit

course at the high school, toward the top by uniting itself for one common

goal: raising money for the musicians. But the split has left the group mired

in conflict as each side has made serious accusations against the other. Some

call it growing pains, while others say they've seen more hatred within the

organization than most in town would believe.

The struggle centers on financial concerns and disagreements over power. There

is a movement afoot to change the group's by-laws to allow for more say by the

general membership, thus decreasing the influence of the group's powerful

steering committee.

"There is a malignancy there that is destroying the group," explained member

Pat Cook. "This is an absolute disaster. The whole program is going to be

destroyed if someone doesn't step in and say `stop this.'"

"It's gotten to the point where if one group says white the other group says

black," said another parent member, who asked not to be identified.

The Newtown High School band is a unique program at the high school in that it

participates in activities that require sometimes-expensive travel, much like

some of the athletic or other extra-curricular activities, but it is a

for-credit academic course. Yet the money provided for the band by the Board

of Education's budget doesn't come close to covering all the expenses.

Members say that though the seeds may have been planted long beforehand, the

clash began in 1995 when the organization tried to decide where to put the

$5,000 in fundraising money left over from the NHS band's trip to the

Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., where it had performed.

Some members believed the surplus should have been returned to parents to help

defray the cost of sending their sons and daughters to California, while

others argued the money should have stayed in the organization's coffers.

Following the recommendation of the NHS administration, the money ($27 for

each student) was returned to the individual parents. That decision was made

much to the dissatisfaction of some members, who felt the BPA would be

jeopardized if money was used for purposes other than those that would

strengthen the program. Bad feelings have existed among the adults ever since.

"The $5,000 would have meant much more to the program than did $27 for each

parent," noted steering committee member Bridgett Kellogg, calling those who

demanded the money back in their pockets a very selfish group of people.

Band parent Liz Jeltema agrees with Mrs Kellogg, saying some parents have

forgotten that the purpose of the BPA, which recently purchased new uniforms

for the band, is to look out for the best interest of the kids.

"Some parents have lost sight of that," Mrs Jeltema said.

"We need to build a legacy for the future and these people need to understand

that their student is not the last student to go through the program," added

Mrs Kellogg. "Every year there's going to be a new need and that need needs to

be addressed first."

Band director Jack Zamary, who points out that the band parents' conflict is

not a band issue, believes the problems have been created simply because

certain parents don't understand the process.

"We have a lot of people who work hard in the band and some who, because

they're a part of a volunteer organization and don't understand the workings

of the business, have difficulty understanding the process of an incorporated

enterprise," he said. "There are rules in the by-laws that must be followed."

But there are some who say Mr Zamary has also strayed from the by laws and is

seeking to have full control of funds raised by the group, including some

funds that have been placed in a student activity account - away from the band

parents' control.

"That money was raised by the kids not the steering committee," Mrs Kellogg

explained.

Several members say that only a small percentage of the organization, those in

the steering committee, have a say in what goes on, pointing to the old

by-laws which they want revised.

"The general membership really does not have a say in this organization,"

commented one steering committee member. "We've had meetings where people were

asked to go sit in the back of the room."

After 51 members of the organization signed a petition calling for an open

meeting, a May 28 meeting of the general membership was called by association

president Dennis Shanchuk earlier this week to discuss its current by-laws. So

that everyone in the Band Parents' Association can have equal say on what

direction they want the group to move in, those calling for the meeting

presented proposed amendments to the group's by-laws that call for more power

for the general membership.

However, Mae Schmidle, the organization's parliamentarian, announced this week

that there was "no way" the meeting can legally go on.

"The suggestions, of course, gut the steering committee and make all monthly

meetings the same as general membership meetings," pointed out Mrs Schmidle,

who is one of a number of BPA members who have no children in the band.

Mrs Kellogg agreed.

"That's giving rights to somebody without any responsibilities. No

organization runs that way," she said.

The group of parents that called for the amended by-laws has been waiting for

more than a year, ever since the General Membership voted down a list of

by-law proposals last spring. The by-law revision committee was requested to

rewrite the by-laws, but still has not.

Mrs Jeltema doesn't see what's wrong with that.

"So what," she responded. "You don't see corporations going through and

rewriting their by-laws each year. Our by laws have served us well for many,

many years."

Mr Zamary points out that the current by-laws allow everyone to have a voice

in what goes on in the organization.

"All those people have an equal say on how the money is going to be spent.

It's their decision. They're the ones that vote in the end. If they don't like

the process, they can change the process," he said.

NHS Principal Bill Manfredonia believes the BPA needs new by-laws to help

answer procedural questions that have been brought about with the group's

growth over the years.

"We're at a crossroad," said Rosemary McCullough, a member of the steering

committee. "If things don't work themselves out, it could mean the end of the

Band Parents' Association and the Board of Education will never be able to

finance the band. That would mean no more field shows like the Rose Bowl and

Citrus Bowl parades."

Mr Zamary believes the key to solving the BPA's problems is simple.

"We need people who are going to look for solutions and not problems," he

said. "I think of myself as a positive person and hope that we can get this

resolved soon."

"The NHS band and music program would not be where it is today without parent

volunteers," said Mr Manfredonia. "I know this will work out."