“Atlanta Public Schools plans to have 10 fewer band teaching positions and eight fewer orchestra teaching positions at elementary schools when students return in August,” writes Carla Caldwell in Tuesday’s (6/2) Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Some APS band and orchestra teachers work at more than one school. The decision means students at some schools will likely return to class in August without the programs. APS spokesperson James Malone said early Tuesday afternoon it is not yet clear which schools will lose programs…. Schools can decide how to use some money that is allocated to them, Malone said. It is possible that some schools could decide to use the money on the music programs. Some schools could decide to share orchestra and band teachers, he added. There are 52 elementary schools in the school system. Before the position cuts, APS has a total of 58 band and orchestra teachers, Malone said. APS is one of the last of the state’s 180 public school districts that provides orchestra and band instruction at the elementary school level, Malone noted.” The article links to video about the cuts at WXIA, a broadcast partner of the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Posted June 3, 2015
