This article is one of a series of articles produced by Word in Black through support provided by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Word In Black is a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media outlets across the country.
By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Seattle Public Schools are facing a budget shortfall of $131 million, which has forced Washington Middle School to propose cutting its music program in half and eliminating its jazz program. This decision has sparked outrage among students, parents, and the wider community, who are rallying in an attempt to keep the program afloat.
The budget shortage has forced Washington Middle School to propose consolidating their choir, band, and orchestra under one teaching position and eliminate the jazz program completely. This decision to make cuts to the music program has shocked many in the community.
Luke Hartley, Washington Middle School’s new Choir and Orchestra Director, says that the decision to make cuts to programs like his has a much broader impact than people may think. “It’s important that people know that when our state isn’t able to fund this public institution in such a way that kids are directly and negatively affected, it has a real impact on life,” says Hartley. “I don’t think that Washington Middle School is an outlier; I think we are seeing budgetary difficulties within school districts across Washington State. It’s not just budgetary struggles against music or the arts, but a lack of funding from the public and state in general.”
Since 1995, Friends of Washington Music (FOWM), a group made up of parent volunteers, has provided support to Washington Middle School’s music community. Their efforts have helped prioritize excellence and equity in music education for students, regardless of their level of experience or resources. The program serves more than half of the school’s diverse and dynamic student body, with daily music ensembles led by the band director Mike Sundt and Hartley. In addition to official school hours, after-school music offerings are supported by families and the community.
Through advocacy and fundraising, FOWM has worked to enhance and improve access to music education for students and attendance in the school.
With a wide range of emotions among students and parents following the proposed cuts, tension at the school is running high, but Hartley is reminding students to “stay grateful in the program we have this year and to really consider what is in our control and what’s outside of our control.”
At a recent school board meeting, students and parents presented a student-led petition that has been signed by their peers, and they are planning a potential student-led walkout during spring break.
According to advocates, the shortage of funds does not only affect Washington Middle School but could also impact the music program at Garfield High School. Washington’s Husky Jazz Band is the main feeder program to Garfield, which wins major west coast music competitions each year and actively participates in the Essentially Ellington National Jazz Band competition in New York.
The Husky Jazz Band won the Bellevue Jazz Festival a year ago and finished in the top three in last month’s festival, which is why it comes as such a surprise that the program could be lost for good.
In a statement, Seattle Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Public Affairs Beverly says, “Seattle Public Schools is proud of the transformative impact that our award-winning fine arts programs have on our students. We appreciate the voices and perspectives lifted during Tuesday night’s board meeting on behalf of the Washington Middle School jazz band program.”
“Budget adjustments are incredibly difficult. However, the commitment to our excellent music programs is unwavering,” she continued. “High-quality music instruction remains a priority and will continue at WMS. 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.”
Redmond also alluded to the fact that the district’s budget allocation is not yet finalized, which means all staffing decisions are not complete but one arts educator at Washington Middle School will be displaced.
