Three different types of music teachers — present, former and maybe — expressed their keenest disappointment and fear at last night’s School Board meeting that the elementary music education program, in its present traditional form, will be dropped next year.
Is it in or out?
The answer this morning remains foggy.
Like a runaway train, rumors have been rampant through the community for days. They were not exactly denied last night even though Board President Scott Zeidman and Supt. Patti Jaffe sought to dampen concerns with what appeared to be a non-denial denial.
After three teachers eloquently protested the potential loss of instrumental music, Mr. Zeidman turned toward Ms. Jaffe and said:
“I don’t recall making a decision to change, cancel or modify (the music program).”
‘Nothing has come to the Board yet,” replied Ms. Jaffe, “because it still is under discussion, being revised, looked at.
“No decisions have been made. The program has not been eliminated, instrumental or other.
“It is a work in progress, something we have been looking at.
“We never have talked about totally eliminating anything.
“As I said, we have looked at a different model, a model that may not work.
“Nothing has been discussed by the Board, and the reason is, it still is being looked at.”
Ms. Jaffe promised a decision “later on.”
When Mr. Zeidman pressed and asked when the School Board could expect a report/proposal for the new term, the Superintendent said, “July 12.”
None of the teachers seemed reassured by the generic response.
However, there was a strain of sentiment that held last night’s stand by the teachers may increase the heat on the District to retain the present program. But no one would say so for the record.
Mielke Escapes
Teachers Union President David Mielke, under fire for months by Board member Steve Gourley, was smiling when he left the meeting.
“I was only called a liar once tonight,” he said, referring not to Mr. Gourley — who did not mention Mr. Mielke — but Board member Kathy Paspalis although she did not use the term, just disputed his assertion.
When Mr. Mielke objected to not being consulted/invited to participate in interviewing Farragut School Principal Eileen Carroll before she was hired as the new Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, Ms. Paspalis interrupted him twice to tell him he was wrong.
Mr. Zeidman cut her off both times. He said she should let Mr. Mielke speak unimpeded.
It turned out that teachers did participate in the Assistant Sup interview, teachers evidently chosen by Human Resources, a decision no one explained or defended.
Mr. Mielke’s authority as union president was obviously bypassed, possibly because of the present muddied atmosphere in which Mr. Mielke has been under constant fire from the Board.
Ms. Jaffe seemed to acknowledge a faux pas had been committed. She promised that Mr. Mielke and Debbie Hamme, President of the Assn. of Classified Employees, both will be consulted to recommend delegates to future interviews.
