In this issue:
FMEA Conference Survey
Thank you! We really appreciate that so many of you took the time to give us feedback on the FMEA Conference. You provided the board useful information and very thoughtful comments – and it will be used as we work to build the next conferences. If you did not get to take the survey and want to share any comments, you’re still welcome to email me or Joe Luechauer, FMEA President, and we’ll be certain to bring comments to the FMEA Board with the survey information.
Contacting Your Legislators and Committee Contacts
Another “Thank You!” to those members who have contacted their State House of Representative member asking them to co-sponsor HB 461 with Rep. Kurt Kelly. Several members mentioned to me their offices had calls on this bill. As yet, only Rep. McBurney (Jacksonville area) has actually signed onto the bill – so, it would be helpful to follow-up to see what’s happened with your local representative. If you have not made such a call – please do!
HB 461 is the bill that will designate bonus points to be added to a school grade based on arts participation. The bill is not in its final format, yet – we do anticipate that new language that is more specific about bonus points will be substituted for the current bill. More on that – when we know more.
Senate K-12 Education Committee
Senate K-12 Education Appropriations Committee
House K-12 Education Committee
House K-12 Education Appropriations Committee
House Education Policy Council
The committees listed above are the “stops” that our bill must make through the legislative process before it reaches the floor of either the House or Senate. Please check to see if you are a constituent of any member of these committees. When our bill comes up, we’ll want constituents to be really active about our issues in contacting the legislators.
Every education bill will move through these committees – so, if something comes along we need to stop, these are the people that we’ll need to contact about that, too.
Local Funding and Local Action
Everything we hear indicates that school funding will continue to be a problem for the next budget year. Many decisions for additional reductions will be made at the local level by superintendents and school boards.
Be certain your local networks are in place – and that you are working relationships about the importance of your programs. Music education programs must be considered essential to your local community – and music booster groups, music alumni, and community arts supporters should be at the ready to take action if cuts are proposed to your program or programs in your district. We cannot allow student opportunities in music education to be diminished!
I hope you will all agree that it will be important for us to ALL stand together and protect ALL music programs – elementary, middle school, and high school. If any additional cuts are made – we all stand to lose ground! So, high school directors should explain the need/consequences and be prepared to mobilize their networks on behalf of elementary and middle school programs, if needed.
Class Size Bill
There is legislative action proposed to change the class size requirements to hold the “count” at the campus average, instead of moving to the classroom level. This is in the best interest of our programs and students.
Given the state of school funding, if the class size implementation goes to the classroom level, many elective courses will be eliminated because FTE units will have to be allocated to general education teachers. While we’ve not seen the specific language for these bills, yet, we need to support the general idea behind the effort.
The largest issue about amending the constitution is that it will be on the Nov. 2010 ballot – well after the 2010-2011 school-year has begun.
We will provide more information on this topic as it becomes available.
FMEA Summer Institute
The deadline for Summer Institute applications is fast approaching! They are due Feb. 19.
The Institute is an inspiring multi-day training (3-4 days depending on the topics covered) involving a relatively small number of successful, well-respected music educators. The participants address relevant questions such as “How do we transform music education and change our perceptions to enable us to reach a all students?” In addition to engaging sessions, there is time built in for specific directed discussion and reflection. Learn more about the Institute at this link.
Hinckley Scholarship
Please find the June Hinckley Scholarship form at this link. The scholarship is for All-State students who are planning to major in music education. If you have students who qualify, please encourage them to apply!
Thanks for your continued work on behalf of music education!
James Perry
FMEA/FSMA