Election results resources, community input and priorities. The district is unique in that it covers 250 square miles with schools varying from 80 to 1,300 students. Schools administer music requirements either through pull-out sessions or by integrating it into mandatory subjects. This autonomy is what the community has asked for, Bellando said. “There’s some sense in putting together a group of people to discuss how we can support music but it has to be with the clear understanding of the values that the school district maintains,” Bellando said. “If the intent is to apply the consultant’s report as it has been submitted it would be problematic because it’s counter to the values of this school district.” Among SFoM’s recommendations are reinstating K-8 general music education in all schools; centralizing management of the music curriculum; requiring that music be taught by licensed music teachers and reinstatement of fifth grade band. Comparing current district-wide participation in band to that of three years
ago when fifth grade band existed, the report commissioned by SFoM says that the trickle-down effect of a lack of a formal, foundational fifth grade band will result in dire consequences for the high school program. It states that: “Band enrollment in grades in 2015-2016 in grades 5-8 is 127. Band enrollment in 20182019 in grades 5-8 is only 37; “This equates to a loss of 71 percent in student participation; “With 90 less students in grades 5-8, the imminent collapse of the band program becomes obvious. At this point, there are only 77 students enrolled in grades 9-12 band. In other words, band will cease to exist; “The real tragedy here is not the low number of students participating, but the fact that nearly 96 percent of the students never had a chance to participate, particularly those from local schools.” “That was our most important takeaway,” Weitzman said. “That we won’t have a band program in three or four years is huge. We need to be more focused on making
decisions that are student centered rather than adult centered.” The issue is now in the hands of the board. “Site-based funding says as long as schools are meeting state-mandated minimums they can staff up as they see fit,” said Silver Falls School Board Chair Tom Buchholz. “We hadn’t seen the report until a week or so before the meeting; I want to delve into it and have the administration team, who understands all the legal ramifications brought up in the report, look at it and get their opinion on it first. “Plus we have a new board; two new board members and it’s probably best to wait a few months until the new board is in place and make the decisions then,” Buchholz said. “We’re just having a disagreement and I want to make sure we find common ground,” he continued. “I understand they would like to see more music instruction throughout the district – that means something has to give; what other instruction is going to be taken away? It will be a wide-ranging discussion.”
Silver Falls School District 4J Director, Zone 1 Leslie Martin 1275 Janet Allanach 1795 P Director, Zone 7 Dawn Tacker 1542 Tom Buchholz 1598 P Silverton Fire District Director, Position 1 Stacy Palmer Tara Von Flue Director, Position 5 Warren (Rick) Jackson Robert C Mengucci
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Know Your Drinking Water: The 2018 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report is now available online at www.silverton.or.us or request a paper copy at Silverton City Hall. Plastic Bags and Polystyrene Ban: Do you have questions about these new ordinances in effect? Visit www.silverton.or.us (under “Latest News”) for helpful documents. Enforcement begins July 1 for plastic bags. June 3, 2019: City Council Meeting at 7:00 pm • City Flag Presentation, Systems Development Charges (SDC) Methodology Presentation, Nano Radio Transmission Facilities, Dam Inspection Report June 17, 2019: Urban Renewal Agency (URA) Special Meeting at 6:00 pm; City Council Special Meeting at 6:15pm or immediately following URA • URA: Adopt 2019-2020 Budget, Declare Tax Increment, and Make Appropriations • City Council: Adopt 2019-2020 Budget, Make Appropriations, and Categorize Taxes July 1, 2019: City Council Meeting at 7:00 pm • Parks and Recreation District Recommendations Presentation, Transportation System Plan (TSP) Update July 4, 2019: Independence Day Holiday (City Offices CLOSED) July 15, 2019: City Council Work Session at 6:00 pm
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