The North Clackamas School District is facing budget cuts, which is majorly affecting many schools and activities in which students participate in. Unfortunately, fine and performing arts are the programs that face the most cuts and reduction. 

The students at Rex Putnam want to bring to your attention an important change that will happen in the arts building unless we come together to stop it. Ms. Lockwood's job is facing the threat of being reduced from a full-time to a half-time job for next year, meaning her job is in jeopardy of being cut. This means that she will most likely have to split between high school and elementary or middle school to have a “full” time job in the district. Not only will this complicate choir programs, such as Choralaires; a class that meets every day except Wednesday in the morning before school, but will reduce the community that we have worked so hard to build and provide for others. By cutting musical education for choir, band, orchestra, etc in our district, we are getting rid of safe spaces for struggling students. Even globally, the arts are not respected or taken seriously, when they are an essential part of human development, creativity, and cognitive growth. 

This is why we, incoming high school students, graduating seniors, community members and parents are asking you to please sign this petition to support keeping our musical education well alive and fostering skills that will stay with our students throughout their lives.