Posted: June 10, 2009

Self-proclaimed "band geeks" and their supporters packed the Wauwatosa School Board Room on Monday to tearfully protest the proposed reduction in Wauwatosa West High School band director Richard Smith's hours at the school.

Katelyn Hewett, a junior and band drum major, was one of about 30 West band members who attended the meeting clad in the school's brilliant green marching band uniforms.

Hewett and the others defended the band program, arguing that a reduction in staffing would mean a reduction in quality.

"Since when did quantity become more important than quality in education?" Hewett, in tears, asked School Board members.

Because of declining band enrollment, district administrators plan to reduce Smith's time at West to seven-tenths of his hours. The remainder of this time would be spent teaching music at Whitman Middle School and Madison Elementary School.

Parents make plea

About 20 parents and community members joined the students in voicing support for keeping Smith at West full time.

Parent John McNaughton said the band director has to do the same amount of work whether enrollment is 100 or 150.

McNaughton asked School Board members to add the issue to a future agenda. Since the topic was not part of the School Board's agenda Monday, no debate or action could be taken.

Chris Preisler, district communications specialist, said administrators will continue to watch enrollment numbers and adjust staffing levels as needed throughout the summer and into the early school year.

Preisler didn't rule out future School Board discussion but said staffing decisions are generally left up to administrators.

School comparisons made

The community members who spoke praised the band program for helping students make friends, learn responsibility, conquer fears and adjust to high school. The audience members, having filled all available seats, lined the board room walls and spilled out the door.

Some speakers argued that the staffing reduction was an illustration of West receiving fewer resources than cross-town rival Wauwatosa East High School.

Board member Michael Meier said he disagreed that West was disadvantaged, arguing that hard work has contributed to the band's award-winning success.

"I hear your arguments, but don't, please, turn the things upside down that contribute to your quality," Meier said, adding: "Please don't do the 'inferiority west side' thing."

Several audience members interrupted Meier, jeering that unfair treatment toward West is a fact.

East currently has 1.4 full-time equivalents for its band staffing while West has 1 FTE. Next year, East will reduce staffing to 1.3 FTE while West will drop to 0.7. Currently, the district expects 212 band students at East and 105 at West.

Preisler said administrators try to assign 0.2 FTE for every 25.5 students. This formula indicates both schools will be understaffed, but West will have a higher ratio of staff to students.

Smith, the West band director, declined to comment.