Seattle and Shoreline families rally to save school arts programs amid budget cuts

As school districts across Washington prepare for budget shortfalls next school year, families are rallying to save arts programs and other electives that may be on the chopping block.

Students and parents crowded school board meetings in Seattle and Shoreline Tuesday to speak out against proposed cuts.

In Seattle, more than 30 students and parents showed up at the school board meeting in support of Washington Middle School’s award-winning music program.

For over an hour, students and parents spoke about what the beloved program has meant to them, clutching signs reading, “Save WMS music now!” and, “Come for band, stay for math.”

Facing a projected $131 million budget deficit next year, Seattle Public Schools is exploring cost-cutting measures before the board approves its next budget in July. Last month, the district slashed 74 central office positions and officials pledged to keep the majority of budget cuts out of the classroom and away from students and teachers.

RELATED: Seattle Public Schools lays off more staff, but spares teachers for now

Not all teachers’ jobs are safe, though. A growing number of teachers are receiving displacement notices, meaning their position at their current school has been eliminated for next school year and they may be shifted to another SPS school through the district’s displacement process with the teachers union.

But at Washington Middle School, the displacement of one of two music teachers means the program would be cut by half, leaving a single teacher for the entire music program — including choir, band, and orchestra.

It also means all jazz instruction during the school day would be eliminated. The school is located on Jackson Street, where an annual jazz walk celebrates the neighborhood’s deep legacy of jazz. The program also springboards students to the renowned jazz program at Garfield High School, just a few blocks away.

For Jo Chick, a sixth grader at Washington, the music program has been nothing short of life-changing. As Chick grappled with mental health challenges over the last year, they found comfort and joy in band class.

“When anxiety would become debilitating and keep me from engaging with the world or even getting up in the morning, band class was always there — a safe, loving environment that’s welcome and open to anyone; where we can all focus on our music and community,” Chick told the board Tuesday.

Nes Rudolph, another sixth-grader at Washington, said he wakes up every school day morning excited for whatever challenges await him in the band room.

But if the proposed cuts to the music program become reality and fewer band classes are offered, he won’t have room in his schedule for it.

Because Rudolph is taking advanced eighth grade math, he already doesn’t have the space in his schedule for the class and is only able to be in band because his math teacher allows it under a special arrangement.

“Cutting the music program in half will not only take away my favorite class, but would destroy the potential for others to experience the joy of what I got to feel this year,” Rudolph said. “And I hope to have that same feeling next year.”

In a statement, Bev Richmond, assistant superintendent of public affairs, said budget adjustments are “incredibly difficult,” but said the district’s “commitment to our excellent music programs is unwavering.”

“High-quality music instruction remains a priority and will continue at WMS,” Richmond said. “Next year’s schedule will continue to include rich opportunities for music, band, orchestra, and choir. We are confident in our WMS leaders and their ability to create an engaging atmosphere where all students can thrive.”

About 15 miles north, the Shoreline School Board heard similar concerns from families protesting proposals to cut arts programs like theater and orchestra, and school publications like the newspaper and yearbook. The district is grappling with a shortfall of about $12 million, and so far is considering trimming about $14 million from its budget for next year.

Ahead of the board meeting, members of the Shorecrest High School band played their school fight song as more than 100 people lined up around the block to get in.

And for several hours during the six-hour meeting, attendees sat cross-legged on the floor around a microphone as students and parents, one by one, urged the school board to reconsider the proposed cuts.

A group of 20 Shoreline educators and staff have also signed onto a letter pleading with the district to maintain funding for the district’s arts and extracurricular programs.

“Activities are the core of a school’s culture. Schools are a place of education, but at best, it is an education that extends beyond the classroom walls,” the letter states. “Many students find their calling, their ‘why,’ or their joy in extra-curricular activities and athletics.”

“We can do better than what’s being proposed,” the group added.

The letter also points to extensive research showing that participating in activities outside of the regular school day can improve a student’s academic performance, reduce the risk of dropping out, lead to college and career success, encourage students to make better choices and stay away from high-risk behaviors, and helps them build social and emotional skills.

The budget deficits are largely due to a drop in public school enrollment in districts across Washington, and part of a nationwide trend. No final decisions have been made about budget cuts in Shoreline or Seattle. Both school boards will adopt their final budgets this summer.