Tears, anger against Fleetwood cuts to art, music, German, drafting Fleetwood students, parents and teachers pleaded with the school board to not make cuts to art, music, German and drafting courses Tuesday night, some choking on their tears. Nelson encouraged everyone in attendance and the school board and administration to work together to produce a win-win solution to preserve Fleetwood's notoriety in music. Patty Haas, Richmond Township, believes the reductions to the specials will limit or prohibit a large percentage of students from reaching their potential. Many attendees, including a 12-year-old seventh grader, talked about the advantages of the music program, such as performing boosts confidence and teaches life-long lessons. Denise Long, Fleetwood, said her son was devastated when he heard about the proposed cuts to drafting courses, an elective he struggles to get on his schedule because the classes have been full. ". Rick Nelson, president of the Fleetwood Area Music Association, spoke on behalf of the newly formed Fleetwood Music Coalition, saying they wanted to focus on the real issue, the students. "By drastically reducing the special time, especially the significant cuts proposed to the music programs, you are no longer valuing the child's diversity. Attendees shared stories of drafting students, one building a roller coaster from K'NEX, others now attending aeronautical and engineering colleges. Long suggested that as opposed to cutting drafting courses that the board reorganize the buses or look at other courses that do not have as strong of an enrollment. Tears, anger against Fleetwood cuts to art, music, German, drafting |