A week ago I addressed the school board about purposed cuts and realignment of the district and my feelings for the loss of a good band instructor. I was told I was too passionate about this one particular person. I retract my answer that I gave to the superintendent that my passion only lies on how well the department is doing now after suffering in the past. When, in fact, yes, I am passionate about a teacher who has the ability teach and to captivate the minds of our students into wanting to learn! Isn’t that why we have what is called Teacher of the Year awards? To recognize those teachers who make a difference with in our students’ lives?

The community enjoys the entertainment that is offered through our band department and the school benefits from that, too. I don’t think the board fully realizes the impact that this may have on our community and the school. Not only does it hurt the present, but it also has huge impact on the future. It’s too easy to say “In time it will come back.” This is why we see declining enrollment when decisions like this are made. We have a teacher that has done a tremendous job and now we want to get rid of that. I was told that the changes will increase the opportunities. Really, get real. Our students that are within the band now are going to suffer. The program will suffer; opportunities that are here now for our older students will suffer or cease to exist. You can’t be judge and jury if you have not witnessed what the department is doing now. Countless hours these students put in to perform for the public in our jazz bands, winter and summer drum line, concert band, symphonic band and tiger band.

When you have a teacher who is passionate about his or her job and has the ability to reach our kids and make a difference, why would you want to get rid of that? Too many good teachers are put on the chopping block because of teacher tenure law. We should be evaluating our teachers on productivity and passion for their job, not on how long they have been teaching to be able to hold a position. This happens far too often. We need to recognize those teachers who go far beyond the expectations and not let them go! Those kind of teachers set a district apart from others. They keep the students wanting to come back for more, instead of declining enrollment.

I understand that everyone is feeling the pinch and need to cut the budget. Though, when it comes to budget cuts, why do we start from the bottom and go up? With declining enrollment, our teachers get hit first. Then up the ladder come office staff and other staff employees. Then, last, administration. Isn’t that backward? Who suffers the most? Our students! Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Because without students we don’t need teachers and without teachers we don’t need staff and with out staff we don’t need the administrators. Everyone needs to step up to the plate and do what is needed to cut the budget. Our students need good educators.

Lori Walther

Albert Lea