Last night we had a chance to hash out some of the issues causing controversy in the Upper Darby School District on ‘Live From the Newsroom.’
I am grateful to state Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-163, who rushed over to our Primos offices after sitting down at a meeting with a group of concerned parents.
Several of those Upper Darby moms joined us on the show. They made it clear they believe the district is making a huge mistake by attempting to balance the books by eliminating “special” classes in music, art, physical education and library at the elementary and middle school levels.
If you missed the show you can watch it here.
Sue Nitz certainly knows the value of music education in the district. She’s the mother of three Upper Darby grads, and has two more kids in the district now. She’s also a member of the committee that each year puts on the Brad Schoener Music Marathon, the fundraiser held to honor the legacy of the district's beloved director of music.
Before we went on the air, I had a chance to talk to Nitz about Schoener, who lost his battle with cancer a few years ago, and what he might think about what is going on in the district. She recounted a story about a visit she made with him to the offices of his insurance company downtown after they denied coverage for a treatment. It turned out to be a mistake, which they corrected. But not before getting a full dose of Schoener’s vigor for life and music, including some unsolicited toots from his trumpet, which he took with him.
Suzanne Briddes and Lisa McNamee both have kids in the district and are actively fighting this proposal.
All of the parents are looking forward to having their say at a series of hearings starting next week. The preliminary budget will be presented next Tuesday, May 1. The regular meeting of the school board will be held May 8, and a public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for May 23. Public comment will be taken at both the May 8 and May 23 meetings.
The parents I talked to last night vowed to pack the meetings, “line the streets,” as they put it.
They have set up a Facebook page, Save the Music in Upper Darby, as well as Save the Arts in Upper Darby. They also now have a website, www.saveudarts.org. A petition to halt the planned cuts is being circulated; it's already been signed by more than 2,200 people.
These things are all good, and might help sway public opinion. But that’s not really what they want. I know. They told me.
A lot of fingers in this story are being pointed at Harrisburg, in particular at Gov. Tom Corbett, blaming his budget and education cuts for what is happening in Upper Darby.
What these parents want is an opportunity to sit down with the governor and make their case.
Rep. Micozzie, a man who has battled for years for a better way to fund public education in this state and who clearly is not wild about the governor’s spending plans, has vowed to ask the governor to come to Upper Darby.
I did the same.
So here it is. Gov. Corbett, consider this an open invitation to join us for a future session of ‘Live From the Newsroom.’ These moms want an answer to their questions. I think they deserve one.
You can provide some of those answers. They await your answer.
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