Budget cuts

[MrJackson]

After 5 years as a public school elementary band director in an inner-suburbs district just outside Philadelphia, the inevitable budget cuts have hit: The current "academic realignment" proposal will eliminate art, gym, library, and music from all 10 elementary schools, as well as middle school foreign language and tech ed. 50+ teachers, including half the music department - 13 of us will be gone - for a savings of 3.1 million dollars to balance the deficit.

So my conundrum is, with 30 years of my career left ahead of me, I no longer want to fight the uphill battle that public education has become. I've spent the first 5 years of my career worrying about everyone else, only to see my Asst. Superintendent basically say what we do has no value and we won't afford to keep you. So I'm going to spend the rest of my career worrying about me.

For those of you who may be ex-teachers, or for the many THers who are in other businesses, especially finance, how did you get your start? I'm willing to work hard, but I dont know where to begin. Please don't ask for real names - I'd rather not put anything like that up here. I suppose I'm asking for any advice on where to start - all I've known is teaching. Too bad, I suppose.
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Yamaha Chicago C
Schilke E3L
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[MichaelM2]

In education, much like the music business you have to be willing to relocate to where the jobs are. The inner-city budgets are the first to go. Try checking out affluent suburbs of major cities. They have far better budgets and follow the money. First try the Philly burbs, then start working your way down the coast. Relocation isn't easy for anyone, but finding the right job makes it all worthwhile.

Mike

[acritzer]

This is my 12th year teaching, and I'm nervous every year. If you're able I'd also recommend relocating. Sometimes it's hard to believe, but there are areas that actually need more teachers.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If there is a bright side to this I'd say that at least it happened early on in your career.
I have 3 daughters, my wife stays at home, and all of my family is local...being riffed at this point would be devastating.

[DavesTrumpet]

Man, I'm very sorry for your situation. I work for a large school system (here in Louisiana, we're parish-wide systems, like "county" wide for every one else, so it includes quite a few towns and cities).

I can't believe that they're throwing away those programs only to save $3 million.

We had a situation last year that in an effort to save $5 million they laid off many support people ("Laid off" that's such an inaccurate term- these people, some of them my friends for the past 20 years LOST their jobs. No one is being hired back). But in the same budget year our administration spent $3 million on SunGard for payroll and purchasing systems. Every damned administrator has a new Dodge Charger. There are at least ten of them out here.

Oh, and don't get me to tell you about how I had to refuse a shipment of new cases yesterday from UPS having to explain to the driver, "It's the end of the fiscal year. I have to refuse your shipment because the schools have just run out of money. They can buy new cars for all the top administrators, but kids can't have new french horn cases in band." (The UPS driver just kind of gave me a stunned look.)

It's mind-boggling, really, that your system would cut PE and library too. I just don't understand their priorities there. Or priorities in many of our school systems. Sad.

Good luck.
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Dave M

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[JRoyal]

I think looking outside of education is the best thing to do, though I do not have any real suggestions as to where to start.

I have been in a similar situation the past few years and can tell you there are very few music ed jobs out there, most of which go to people either right out of school( cheap and easy to control) or people with well over 15+ years in the field taking over higher end programs. People in your situation seem to have no where to go.

[sinfonian316]

I know a band director who got his MBA a few years into teaching. He took classes at night and got it in two years I believe.
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Eb: Bach 189 EL
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[Polyphonic]

My wife is currently an elementary music teacher in a semi-rural school district. Since being hired in as the Choir Director/K-1 teacher, they have eliminated the entire choral program, and her job has been on the "chopping block" numerous times. In an effort to plan for the uncertain future of music education, and while persuing her Master's Degree, she has been certified to teach k-? general education; this, plus seniority, should theoretically, make her indispensible.

Long story-short, she will never give-up the fight, though she may have to do it from a different position. She will still be able to retain an educational role in children's lives, which is her "calling", so to speak. It's too bad that the first thing to go in public education is that which teaches us to be "cultured" and "physically healthy".
_________________
Jonathan Ruffer -- Xeno/Melk Bb; Strad/Ruffer/Karnes Bb; Xeno/Melk C; Kortesmaki C & D/Eb; Schilke P5-4; Jupiter Flugel; GR66C*, 66C**, 66S, and 64P-M; King 2B Trombone.

[Craig Swartz]

I hear you. 38 years into this racket and am hanging it up in 4 days. I'm not burned out from teaching, and all but the first 10 years have been firmly inside the inner city. The district stuck me last year with a Class 4 A high school (marching, jazz, pep, contests, etc.) and 3 elementary buildings. Student performance in academic areas is about the lowest in the state, so that's where the concentration has been centered (and I agree with that for the most), but a few weeks back the "boss" decided that my gig of 4 buildings with all the nights and weekends was only worth half time and I was told I'd be assigned additional duties in other buildings to cut costs even further for the HS. They could've assigned up to 5 more elementary buildings, or stuck me somewhere with general music for half a day everyday- no guarantee, so the next day I put in for retirement. I'm not done" teaching by any stretch, just here in the district "Where The First Word Is DUH". BTW- anyone who needs a professional teacher who is classically trained with 30 some years experience as a paid symphony musician and longer than that as a freelance player; who can also play literally every instrument he teaches at a good HS level, I'm available June 2. There can't be a situation I haven't been confronted with, from fine All State musicianss to kids pointing a gun at you.

Or, I'll just stay in N MN all year instead of summers only. I'd still rather work at this point.

[Billy B]

Craig,

Time for you to get involved in Synergy.
_________________
Bill Bergren
Obstacles are what appear when you take your eye off of the goal.
www.synergyjazz.org

[bebop]

I will not be offered a contract for next school year. They said they wanted to move in another direction. I'm a high school band director teaching a tiny concert band and jazz band. The numbers were very small when I first took this job (4 years ago). They now say it was my fault the band is small. The real problem was that they cut most of the grade school instrumental programs that feed into the high school. Also, most of the would be band students take AP classes and opt out of band. So, the change in direction means they are are having the having vocal teacher take over the band. She has zero experience in a band program. I have been teaching band for 29 years and I'm 60. Trying to get a new teaching position at 60 might prove to be very hard. I really don't know what is going on with the band programs in the northeast US, but it seems like a lot of programs have been cut or cut back. I find it very had to recommend a music ed major to young players lately.

[Comeback]

MrJackson,
Remember this book from the late nineties? I will soon be sixty years old and have re-invented myself at least four times: 21 years in general construction; 3 years teaching high school; 10 years in general industry management; now 2 years as a community college department chair. The 100 year old company I worked for in the early 2000s had all of its managers read "Who Moved My Cheese" shortly before it was liquidated in bankruptcy. There are many options before you. Try to perceive consequences of possible choices fully. When I left the bankrupt company in late 2004, I accepted a position several states away from our Indiana nexus. This broke my wife's heart. The money was good and she eventually adjusted, but it was tough. We're now "back home again in Indiana". Had I been a little more flexible and perceptive, we may not have had to move in the first place. Best wishes to you in your pursuits. You will get through this one way or another. As an aside, spending the rest of your career worrying about you may not provide the fulfillment you seek.
Jim
_________________
Bb Trumpets: 2000 Bach Stradivarius 180S37, 1972 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
Bb Cornet: 2008 Blessing XL-CR Shepherd's Crook
Flugelhorn: 1990 Blessing Artist

[tpter1]

I wonder if it might be wise to consider music therapy. You already have the music background. And, as a teacher, you likely have some kind of chops on piano or guitar. There are colleges in your area that offer programs leading to that...

My heart goes out to you guys in PA. What your governor is doing to the education system in PA is criminal- he’s taking the heart right out of school. I suspect drop-out rates will increase dramatically as a result. I hope ours does not take the same path, although I would not be surprised.
_________________
-Glenn Roberts
"Character is the backbone of human culture, and music is the flowering of human character". -Confucious

[Craig Swartz]

[RandyTX]

It's very disheartening to continually hear stories like this, from all over. I am especially upset when the details involve the complete removal of fine arts programs from a school or district.

I can see trying to cut costs in an era when everybody seems addicted to spending more money than they actually have. However, wholesale gutting of all fine arts education is a huge mistake.

A few quotes from Mr. Holland's Opus (a so-so movie, but particularly apropos for this discussion):

[Comeback]

[Craig Swartz]

Just to put things in perspective to my situation, 30 years ago there were 2.5 FTEs in the entire band feeder (6 buildings). 10 years ago it became 2, next year's proposal will be 1, divided between two .5 people (still 6 buildings).

On the other hand, the Athletic/Activities Director position used to be linked with the primary VP. So, building admin was Head Principal, a VP who covered 2 grades/AD, and was 12 mo contract, and another VP covering the other 2 grade levels on a 10 mo contract. This year we had Principal, 4 VPs, and 4 other "administrator wannabees" with offices (people who do not teach classes) called SILs (School Improvement Leaders) and a dedicated full time AD. This in addition to guidance counselors and a raft of other social worker types who do not teach but have offices as well. Next year the building will have all of those but the Athletic Director will now be called Activities Director, with 2 people under him FT, one as Athletic Director and another as Activities Director. Here's where it really gets good. Beneath each of them will be 2 more people from the teacher ranks with reduced assignments who will be responsible for attending the evening/weekend events in place of the administrators. So- they will now have 7 people being paid well to do the job one person used to do, and it was only a half-time or less responsibility. Oh, yeah, and a .2 FTE for Band. Sorry, Randy, the dude that concocted this plan came up here from Texas 2 years ago. Hasn't a clue with either sports or fine arts.

[John Mohan]

Mr. Jackson,

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your job and potentially your first chosen career.

Our lives are measured not by the crap that's thrown at us, but how we deal with that crap. From what you write, it sounds to me like your good attitude will help you overcome the situation. Perhaps the day will come when you are glad this happened. I hope so!

Some ideas:

If you're interested in helping people, pursuing a Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy will provide for an extremely rewarding career that pays very well, and also has the among the best outlooks in terms of employment opportunity of any career at this time and for the foreseeable future.

My wife is an OT and not a day goes by that we don't get postcards and letters in the mail offering her employment all over the country, with generous bonus and moving expense offers attached. When is the last time a music teacher got such an offer in the mail?

One of our good friends was a musical and stage performer for more than 30 years. He graduated with a degree in Performing Arts and worked all over the world acting and singing in major productions. His last role was that of the Teen Angel (the Frankie Valli part in the movie version) in the European Tour of "Grease" that my wife and I were on before moving back to the States in 2004 (in a departure from her normal career, I got her an audition and she won the role of Miss Lynch, the nasty school teacher - it wasn't much of a stretch).

Our friend Alberto left the show (of his own choice) when his contract expired at the end of 2003, because he was ready for a new career. He enrolled in the prerequisite courses for OT at Pasadena City College, and got excepted into an OT program at one of the Southern California schools. He completed his OT degree in 2008 and now earns a healthy six figure income enriching lives.

Perhaps this would be a career path for you. In particular, if you like working with kids, being a Pediatric Occupational Therapist (that's what my wife is) provides amazing levels of reward helping kids.

Another thought in regard to using your present skills: You've got the equipment (the Bb, the C, the Pic and the Eb/D) - if your skill-set matches the breadth and quality of your equipment, a sizable amount of extra income can be earned playing weddings. Simple Steps:

• Find a good Church Organist and trade some free plays at his or her Church in return for the chance to get together at the Church a few times during the week to record some demo material.

• Put together a good, 3 to 5 minute demo CD (bits of several songs - just short excerpts - we're dealing with the "Entitlement/ADHD Generation" now).

• Arrange to do a local Bridal Show, or just go to the show, walk around and pass out your CD

• Send the CD with a nice cover letter to every Church Organist in your town or city.


I think you could pick up two or three jobs per weekend throughout the Wedding Season (April through October) and maybe one job per week throughout the winter this way. I would charge around $300 per job. This could definitely help you pay the bills while you return to school if you decide to. Hey, I think I should follow my own advice here!

Best wishes to you,

John Mohan
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[Christian K. Peters]

Hello all,
I was one of 5 music teachers in a small rural school district when i was hired in 1981. Over the course of the years, Elem PE and Music were lost in earlier budget crisis'. After 21 years in the middle school, they trough me into the high school...Then both elementary schools doing stuff I had never done before. One of the last straws was giving me hs and 6th grade choir. Half way through my 30th year, I was informed that the ms was to cut .5 fte, and that I was the .5!!! By this time I was the only music teacher standing in a 4A school district. A tragic loss for the middle school kids, who now have no music offering. A riffed teacher came back, half-time to do two hs choirs and the hs band. I don't know if they will even have a band this next fall. I have heard rumors of a guitar class...
Believe it or not, Gladys Stone-Wright had her start in this district. She started with a handful of kids and grew the hs band to 60 in the early 50's. Through the years, there had been many very good, long term teachers that enriched the lives of many a country kid. My peers and predecessors all were there many years, and had put up the fight to keep quality music in the schools. So much for tradition.
_________________
Christian K. Peters
Schilke Player
Oregon Brass Society
Central Lutheran Brass Quintet

[DaveH]

Well, based on what I've heard from some people in public education in this area, the "name of the game" nowadays, so to speak, is the TEST, so whatever isn't on the TEST is expendable.

My father was a high school band director and vocal music director whose career spanned 33 years in a suburban school district. He retired in 1974. He worked in a lower/middle to middle/middle class school district which today has constant budget and financial problems and has announced several cut backs for next school year. I often wonder would it be like for him today. He retired while he was on top, so to speak. Being the best at his game today probably wouldn't matter like it did back then. High school band and the music program isn't on the TEST.

I also know some other retired public educators in other kinds of disciplines, who also indicate that much has changed in public education over the last few decades. It leads me to believe that people who aspire to education careers nowadays, whether in music or other areas, have an outdated understanding of reality today. I think there must be some nostalgia or other concepts of the good old days controlling - maybe a better word is blinding - their thinking, because I think education used to be a pretty good career, if you enjoyed working with young people. At least, that's what my father used to say...about 45-50 years ago, however.

Good luck.