Jamestown Public School officials witnessed both the positive and negative aspects of the education system Tuesday.
During the district's board of education meeting, three parents attended to voice their displeasure with cutting back the Suzuki music program. Suzuki is an early childhood method of teaching musical instruments. Students can be taught the violin by the Suzuki method in elementary schools in Jamestown.
However, this year the program has been cut back because of budget restraints. According to Joseph DiMaio, school board president, the program only continued this year for students already enrolled. No new students were accepted. DiMaio said the program was reduced because a teacher retired from the district. Nina Karbacka retired after 40 years of service. She started the Suzuki program in the district in 1976.
Article Photos
Aaron and Boaz Mecham play Johann Sebastian Bach on their violins for the Jamestown Public School District Board of Education on Tuesday. Tom and Ronit Mecham, Aaron and Boaz’s parents, attended the meeting to speak to the board about the decision to cutback on the Suzuki music program.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''It is an unfortunate thing we had to make a decision on,'' DiMaio said. ''We know the importance of (the program).''
However, school officials were able to witness the positive aspect of the program during the board meeting. Aaron and Boaz Mecham, Fletcher Elementary School kindergarten students, played a piece of music on their violins from Johann Sebastian Bach. Aaron and Boaz were there with their parents, Tom and Ronit Mecham. The Mechams attended the meeting to voice their disappointment in the program's reduction.
''I think you missed the boat a little bit,'' Mecham said.
Hillary Meyer also attended the meeting to let the board know, as a parent of students in the district, she doesn't like the decision.
''Art and music are not offered enough,'' she said.