Uh huh. That seems to be the opinion of my local school district -- the one to which we pay monstrous taxes just so they'll leave us alone to homeschool our kids.
Three nice young men came to our door last night soliciting funds for band equipment for the local high school. When I asked them why they were going door to door at 7:30 in the evening asking for money when our district is one of the most property-rich in the state, they said there just doesn't seem to be much money available for band, orchestra or choir. They appeared to be a little peeved and genuinely puzzled, but mostly resigned.
After giving them $20 to help buy percussion and tubas, I encouraged them to get their school newspaper in on the investigation as to why fine arts are getting the short shrift.
They all laughed and said they'd do that -- except there is no school newspaper.
Oh, and lest my good readers think our district is hanging on by a thread financially, know this: It spent upwards of $72 million a couple years back to build a big multipurpose complex and sports arena. Naturally, it now cries for more money to build schools as the local population continues to expand.
Guess that's why there's not much left over for the arts.
If those were my sons feeling compelled to beg door to door when they could be studying -- or practicing their music -- I'd be all over the school board. Shame!
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