KP School Committee Hears About District Art Instruction

The King Philip School Committee heard the results of an examination of the district's arts instruction at its meeting Monday night.

Assistant Superintendent and middle school Principal Susan Gilson presented the findings, compiled by a subcommittee.

"We took a look at the program of studies, really examining the question: 'Are we currently able to offer comprehensive arts instruction?'" she said.

She said that group had sent out a survey, among other efforts.

"In the scope of a week, 327 people responded," she said. "We also did a comprehensive comparison of school districts."

Gilson said the district's instruction was compared to other Hockomock League schools, other regional school districts and school districts with comparable per-student expenditure and comparable performance.

"We see a progressive decrease in arts participation [past the seventh grade," she said. "At the middle school, we do not have a foundations of art class in the eighth grade."

Gilson said many of those surveyed believe the district should offer additional band and choral programs.

"While we have a strong band program, it's not as comprehensive as other schools," she said. "One hundred and twenty-two [respondents] commented on the lack of a string program."

She said the committee's recommendations include expanding the music staff to 1.5 or two full-time teachers and examining a string program. She said creating such a program would have to start at the elementary level.

"We really need to work on staffing," she said. "To be honest, we can't just have one music teacher at the high school. It's not fair to students, and it doesn't align well with the other districts out there."

Committee member Wendy Robeson said she would like to have the finance subcommittee look over the recommendations.

Local resident Bob Cohen praised the presentation, and said he would like the committee to move forward on the recommendations.

"What I haven't heard is a commitment from the district [on the recommendations]," he said. "I want to impress upon the folks in the school committee that, when you have to make choices on where to spend money, arts are not a financial canary in the mineshaft."