We, the parents and supporters of the Northport-East Northport Schools Community, firmly acknowledge that our district is nationally recognized for its contributions to the Arts. Our distinguished faculty has contributed to the authorship of the National Core Standards of Art and Music curricula, and our students rank in the highest percentage statewide every year. Simply stated, for the past 30 years our programs, with individual Art Chair and Music Directors, have created this environment and opportunities for our kids.

Our concern is that this drastic decision to abolish the separate Art and Music administrative district positions in order to create a new Director of Music and Art position is premature and without proper preparation to guarantee a smooth transition to fulfill the needs of our students, parents and faculty.

We parents, students and teachers passionately support Northport-East Northport’s Fine Art, Media Arts and Applied Arts programs and Music program. In light of our 30 years of having nationally recognized Art and Music Programs, we respectfully request that Dr. Caramore and the Board of Education consider a one-year moratorium of this budget issue until the soon-to-be active Superintendent of Schools, Robert Banzer can study and evaluate this motion for one year. A decision to eliminate the Art Chairperson budget line now will severely compromise the state and national reputations of the Northport-East Northport School District as a stellar example of one of the finest Art programs in the New York State if not the country.