Grace Tait, a current part-time band director at Hinsdale Central, is set to be laid off at the end of this school year. For band students and the program as a whole, this is an issue. 

Since becoming assistant band director in 2022, Tait has had a profound impact on the band program at Hinsdale Central. She is beloved by her students and is a great educator. In only four years as a director, she has impacted hundreds of students, both as musicians and as people. She is an excellent band director and positively impacted the musicianship and skill of every student with whom she has worked. Arguably more impressive is her impact on students as people. She is someone that students know that they can always talk to. She is a pillar of support within the band community and manages to always put a smile on her student's faces. Last year, over 600 students and parents signed a petition to keep her on as a full-time staff member. Though the petition failed to yield the desired result, it showed how dearly she is loved by students and parents alike. 

For Hinsdale Central's band program, the loss of a director would destroy it. With only one director, the number of classed available would drop significantly, specifically for Hinsdale Cental's jazz groups. With only one director, the load on Mr. Kurinsky (Central's other director) would be too great and would likely set the program back years. Additionally, due to her aforementioned skill as a director and ability to make band an enjoyable class for students, there would be a void in Central's band program. 

By signing this petition, you help Hinsdale Central band students keep a director that they so desperately need.