Update and letter from a teacher.

"This is a long letter and whether you are in Fairbanks or not please read. There are ways you can help. I know I have written to you all lately about various petitions and happenings with the music programs in our school district. I want to thank all of you who have taken time to sign both or one of the petitions to save music either at the national level or within the FNSBSD. I also want to thank you for writing letters to the school board, the legislatures, our superintendent, or other outlets. I want to give you some information on what is going on as of today. Today "doubtful status" letters were given to EVERY music and art teacher as well as all counselors. They also issued these notices to all non-tenured general ed teachers at the elementary level and some at the middle and high school levels. Some tenured middle and high school teachers have also been notified of doubtful status. Doubtful status notices had to be issued today per our contract. The school board has stated that these have been issued so that they have "flexibility" as the decide how to deal with the proposed budget. What they have shown us is that they are willing to cut all of the art programs out of our school district in order to save money. They have told us that music and art are important, but they are sacrificing these programs. They have not even taken into consideration what other qualifications these teachers hold. They have specifically targeted these programs for cuts. If a teacher is qualified to teach music and k-8 gen ed, but they are currently teaching music, then they got a "doubtful status" letter even if they have tenure while their colleagues teaching in the gen ed classroom remain unaffected with "doubtful status". I understand that cuts have to be made because money does not grow on trees. However, our district has targeted certain groups. There are no cuts being made in the athletics departments. I don't want to see these groups suffer but rather than making small cuts across the board the school district has chosen to target most specifically the music and art departments. Yes the budget is tight, but we all know the importance of including students in arts programs. We know how imperative it is for students to have the opportunity to participate in music and art. I am so scared and worried about our students futures. What kind of education will we provide for the students in our public schools. Saying there is not enough money is no longer an acceptable excuse. They did not put tenured gen ed teachers into doubtful status but they have for music and art. They have shown us their lack of support. It is disrespectful. Again I say thank you for any support you have given. It has to go beyond wishing the best and sending good thoughts that things will work out. We have to do something. Even if it is one small thing like forwarding this information so everyone in town knows what is going on and can take action. Fairbanks thrives on the arts and these cuts will in turn affect the whole town. FLOT, performing groups such as the community band, youth orchestras, the Fairbanks Symphony, the UAF music, art, and theater departments, First Friday art shows, and so many more will feel the pressure of losing music in the public schools. Do what you can. These are some ways you can help. If you are in the FNSBSD (Fairbanks north Star Bourough School District) area - Please please please attend the school board meeting at 7 PM on Tuesday March 24. Wear your Music in our Schools Month Shirt. You can prepare a testimony to share on this night as well. Testimonies can be 2 minutes long and be about anything on how music or art affected your schooling or your student's schooling to how your feel about music and art and its teachers. - Write to the school board at schoolboard@k12northstar.org or complete the form on the FNSBSD homepage to give feedback on the budget decisions - Write to the Daily News Miner - Write to our legislators - you can find their contact at alaska.gov - sign the petition - there are two and I have included links to both. One petition is to save music in our schools in Fairbanks and one petition is to save music in our schools across the country - visit and like us on facebook page www.facebook.com/fnsnsdmusic If you are receiving this email and are not in Fairbanks or Alaska, we would appreciate your support. You can like us on facebook, you can also write letters to legislators or your local news papers. These cuts may not be happening where you are, but they could be and they are getting more common and worse across the country. We have to do this together across the country! Thank you for your support. Jenifer Woodard General music teacher"