Camas schools urged to nix music program cuts

Those worried about proposed cuts to middle and high school music programs packed the Camas school board’s meeting room Monday evening. One by one, about 20 parents, students, educators and concerned residents appealed to Camas School District leaders during the school board’s public comment period. Many said they had found a sense of belonging and purpose through their school’s music, choir and drama and implored the board to reconsider budget cuts that could reduce music teachers’ full-time status at Camas’ middle and high schools. “Music has the power to awaken people’s souls, share the diversity of who we are, and has a profound effect on our physical, mental and emotional health,” Michelle Autry, the mother of three Camas students, told the board. “Please continue to research other methods to trim the budget.” Liberty Middle School choir and drama teacher Erik Edmundson told the board Monday, “When we reduce performing arts … we limit opportunities for students who don’t see themselves in traditional spaces.” Other community members wrote letters to the board this week arguing against the proposed music program cuts. Mike Meskel, the father of a Grass Valley Elementary School fourth-grader and incoming kindergartner, said his family moved to Camas in 2019 for the school district. “Music gives students a place to belong, to express themselves, to build confidence and to develop skills that can’t be measured by (grade-point averages), test scores or college acceptance letters,” Meskel said in his letter to the board. “Music education in Camas has already been diminished at the elementary level, where students now receive just 45 minutes of music per week, well below the state average of 60 minutes.” More cuts expected The proposed cuts are part of the school district’s ongoing efforts to slash expenditures by 10 percent to 12 percent, or $13.3 million to $15.6 million, ahead of an expected revenue deficit during the 2025-2026 school year. On Monday, Superintendent John Anzalone said he and other Camas schools leaders had hoped state legislators would help alleviate some of the budget shortfalls facing school districts across Southwest Washington. “It didn’t pan out the way we thought,” Anzalone said. The 2025 Washington legislative session adjourned Sunday. Legislators have included $775 million in additional special education funding for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, but Camas school leaders said Monday that this relief won’t go far enough. The district has already reduced its central office administrative staff and programs by 29 percent and, last week, informed 38 provisional teachers (those who have worked at the district for three years or less) that their contracts will not be renewed next school year. On Monday, Camas principals also gave layoff notices to several nonprovisional teachers, with cuts based on seniority. Anzalone said the district plans to reduce support staff later this month. Lessen the blow Responding to the outcry over the proposed music program reductions, Anzalone said it’s “very important” to note that the district will still offer music and other art classes. “The key thing to keep in mind is that we’ve been able to maintain our music programs,” Anzalone said Monday. “In order to do that … we have to reduce (staff hours) and shrink the sessions our music educators are teaching.” If the district moves forward with the proposed cuts, five Camas music educators in the district’s middle and high schools would have their full-time hours reduced by 20 percent. “We had to look at class sizes in arts or other elected areas,” Anzalone said. “Those that were under 30 (students) were targeted, … but we are retaining all of the programs.” Anzalone said district leaders hope to work with the Camas teachers’ union to figure out possible ways to lessen the blow — turning jazz band into a club instead of a class, for example, and paying the club adviser a stipend. “Modifying programs is not something we’re used to,” Anzalone said. “But we are in a bit of a different time now.” Kelly Moyer: 360-735-4547; kelly.moyer@columbian.com

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