Hastings School Music Program Faces Possible Elimination of Part-Time Position
Hastings School Music Program Faces Possible Elimination of Part-Time Position
The 2023-24 school budget proposes the elimination of a part-time music teaching position in the school district
by Janine Annett
Hastings-on-Hudson — The Hastings School District’s music program could see a part-time teaching position eliminated next school year.
The district’s proposed budget for 2024-2025 cuts the position currently held by Michael Rubino when he fully retires at the end of this school year. Rubino has worked part-time since this past September.
The district administration says the loss of the position won’t affect students’ opportunities to study music, as the remaining staff of five will continue to offer instruction.
Hastings Superintendent of Schools William McKersie distributed a Music FAQ about the proposed changes to the program on April 5th. The Music FAQ is available as part of the Budget FAQ. According to the document, the Hastings High School chorus will have one less section of music next year; Farragut Middle School will add general music to ensure that 7th/8th-grade students not participating in an ensemble (chorus, band or orchestra) will receive the half unit of study required by New York State; and Hillside Elementary School will lose two music classes due to projected enrollment. (Because each class has music as a special twice in a cycle, there will be four fewer general music classes per cycle.)
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Melissa Szymanski underscored that the position under consideration for elimination is 0.6 of a role. "We are deeply committed to our music programming,” she added. “As a former dancer and musical theater performer, and as an instructional leader whose father and sister both chose to pursue educational careers teaching in the arts, our music program is particularly close to my heart."
Andy Zimmerman, a member of Hastings AMP (Alliance for the Music Program) — a group of parents who are not officially affiliated with the school district — said he’s concerned that the schools’ other music teachers will be unable to provide the same level of instruction without a replacement for Rubino’s part-time position.
“I don’t want the music teachers to be overextended and have too many kids to teach,” said Zimmerman, whose son, Jasper, an 11th-grader, is an accomplished jazz pianist and composer. “I want them to have enough time in their schedules to be able to do all the things they’re asked to do.”
While it has been scaled back by many school districts nationally in the face of funding pressure, advocates say music education benefits overall childhood development. According to the Save the Music Foundation, “numerous studies have found that involvement in music programs from an early age can help hone motor, language, and communications skills.” A five-year study by the organization showed the benefits of music education for academic and personal growth.
The Hastings School District’s preliminary school budget for the 2024-2025 academic year was initially presented at a March 5th Board of Education (BOE) meeting and was further discussed in an April 3rd BOE meeting. The proposed budget states that “due to significant external cost pressures, Hastings is facing a difficult couple of years with budgets” and that “we will continue to provide robust educational, extracurricular and support programs — advancing the growth of all students.”
According to the budget document, “Major factors affecting expenses include enrollment/class size, programs, contractual obligations, pension costs, health insurance increases, state/federal mandates, and increases in the costs of utilities, services, and supplies.”
At the April 3rd meeting, several parents of children in the school district spoke about what the music program has meant to their children and asked the Board to consider not cutting the part-time position.
HHS alumnus Clint de Ganon, a professional drummer and percussionist who has performed with the New York Philharmonic and notable musicians including Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and Barry Manilow, also spoke passionately about the music program in the Hastings schools and the positive impact it had on his career.
The BOE is expected to complete its deliberations and vote on the proposed school budget at its April 16 meeting. A budget hearing will be held on May 7th at 6 PM in the Farragut Complex Lecture Room. On May 21st, Hastings residents will vote on the budget and school board.
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