Finneytown Elementary band practice may be held before school, sparking equity concerns

Finneytown Elementary School band and orchestra classes may be held before school hours in the 2024-25 school year, a move that has raised concerns among some parents.

During a Finneytown Board of Education meeting Monday evening, board members discussed a recent change in the elementary school's schedule that would require band and orchestra students to come one hour before school starts. That would be two days a week for fifth graders and three a week for sixth graders.

That left some parents questioning the fairness to all the kids.

Superintendent Laurie Banks said it was so these students could take general music in addition to performance music classes. She said she worked with the Finneytown Music Parents Association, the two building principals, director of operation and the band and orchestra instructors to make the changes.

"This change will allow for more – and especially more uninterrupted – instruction in band and orchestra. The change in scheduling is also being made so that students can attend all regular specials classes, including general music," Banks wrote in an email. She noted the district has had success with other, similar before-school programs and that secondary school band and orchestra classes take place before school.

"We believe this change may encourage even more students to participate in band and orchestra and can help ease the transition from one school to another, particularly for sixth graders."

It was the superintendent's office that made the changes, not the school board. According to the music parents' association treasurer Amy Catanzaro, it wasn't the deal music parents or teachers wanted.

"In the last month or so, the principal and super presented this plan to the band directors and orchestra director. They expected them to present a united front, and get behind the plan and support it, but they do not," Catanzaro said. "That is because it reduces equity and availability of the programs to at least a portion of the students."

During the meeting, board member Jelicia McMullen noted equity concerns in the socioeconomically diverse district. One example: some children may be responsible for getting their siblings on the bus, for example, or may not have another ride to school, and because of this, they wouldn't be able to be a part of the before-school program. Students within a mile of the school are not provided busing, and they would have to cross Winton Road in the dark during rush hour, leaving parents to choose between their child's benefit of being in the program and their safety. Earlier transportation would be provided to the students who take the bus.

Catanzaro said 68 fourth graders – the entire class – are currently signed up for either band or orchestra next year. Holding the class before school may rule out those children who either don't want to or can't wake up an hour earlier. It also makes their school day an hour longer.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Den Tenhundfeld, a product of Finneytown Local School District's music program and parent of a recent grad and current marching band student, said starting the school day earlier and potentially losing an hour of sleep may be OK for high schoolers, but it would be hard on younger children. "So the theory is flawed," he told the board.

School board members acknowledged concerns raised by band and orchestra parents. Board member James "Eddie" Reeb proposed a resolution to change that at the meeting, but it failed.

Two board members will meet with school officials and teachers who contributed to the plan at a future meeting, Banks said. A date has not been set.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Finneytown Elementaryband, orchestra may be held before school hours