No cuts are planned for the Highlands High School band program, but low enrollment in several music electives will eliminate the classes from the curriculum next year, school board members said Monday.
Superintendent Monique Mawhinney said it is her goal to avoid furloughing teachers. Instead, staff will be utilized where most needed.
The discussion followed last week’s plea by a parent and several students to maintain the current range of district musical offerings.
Christina Faltot of Harrison questioned a plan to split the high school music teacher, Matthew Beresik, between district buildings. She urged school leaders keep intact the music theory, music technology and jam band classes at the high school, as well as individual music lessons.
But Mawhinney said that’s not possible following the low demand for some classes generated during student scheduling for fall. Several classes, mostly electives, will not run because too few students planned to take them.
“It’s not unique to music,” Mawhinney said. “There are other courses that will not run.”
No one in the audience spoke out about the changes.
Kristie Babinsack, co-chair of the instruction committee, said previously the scheduling adjustments will consolidate classes with low enrollment and reassign teachers as needed to ensure classes are appropriately filled and that teachers maintain full schedules.
The approach is taken to remain fiscally responsible and avoid potential furloughs where possible, she said.
In other action, the board approved the district’s proposed 2026-27 budget, which maintains property taxes for the fourth consecutive year.
The tentative $58.5 million budget maintains the tax rate of 25.13 mills. If approved, the owner of a home assessed at the district’s median value of $123,500 would again pay $3,103.
One mill of taxes brings in $1.03 million at Highlands.
The board will vote on the final budget during its meeting June 15.