In a 2-2 split, the Jackson Public School Board of Trustees failed to renew the contract of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) to implement the Strings in the School Program in its schools. According to reports, Board President Sollie Norwood was not present due to illness.
Vice President Ivory Phillips conducted the board meeting.
“I’m very upset,” said Chousetta Brown, president of the Davis Magnet PTA. “Why would they do something like this? My children enjoy being in the program. Brown said she has already spent over $200 in rental fees for her children’s instruments, stands and books. “I am so upset, and this is in the middle of the school year.”
One parent, who has three children in the program, said the purchase of their instruments was nearly $1,000. She, too, said her girls “enjoy the program.”
Students could rent the violins from MSO for only $60 per school year. Most parents opt to do so, while some choose to purchase their own.
Casey parent and PTA Vice President Horace McMillon said he and a number of parents were shocked when they heard of the school board’s decision. “Many parents had already enrolled their children in the program,” he said. “I certainly hope we can get the board to reconsider it. It’s a pretty significant loss.”
In good faith, MSO President and Executive Director Michael Beattie said they started this year’s program, thinking that their contract would be renewed. “We were surprised and disappointed, and concerned for the students. We got the official call from the district this morning [Oct. 21].” Beattie said he has already pulled his Strings teachers out of the schools.
The collaborative music education program with MSO has been a part of JPS for 42 years.
“It’s a tremendous loss to the school and community because the students won’t be exposed to the kind of culture the program helps them to experience,” board member H. Ann Jones personally stated. “We have had students who have gotten some great scholarships having participated in the Strings Program. It instills discipline, builds character. There are many of us [in this city] who have contributed financially to students who were interested in the program but could not afford it.”
Jones said she had received numerous emails from concerned parents and others about the issue.
She and board member Jonathan Larkin voted in favor of renewing MSO’s contract. Phillips and board member Delmer Stamps voted against it.
“Personally, I believe that there is an incredible education value in the Strings Program,” Larkin said. “You can document that students who are in music programs on average do better. Studies have indicated it.” He cited Blackburn Middle School having a ‘great’ Strings Program and its being tops in math as a correlation.
Betty McRee said her son Derrick is going into his second year as a member of the MSO Youth Orchestra. “He was invited to audition and passed with no problem,” she said. “He was also the recipient of one of the Holly Foundation Awards because of his involvement with Strings. I think the late Mr. Kermit Holly was instrumental in starting the program.”
Is the 42-year JPS-MSO collaboration a total loss?
“We don’t know yet,” Phillips told The Mississippi Link before press time Wednesday evening. “We didn’t approved it and a number of other items. We wanted to take a look at our budgetary program plan [because we’ve been asked to cut our budget by the state]. We’re hoping to take a look at various items with monetary overlays.”
School districts across the state are being asked to cut their budgets.
“While I personally agree that every program should be looked at, I don’t think we need to cut in the classroom,” said Larkin.
Parents have the option to call, email, and sign up for public participation during public board meetings regarding any concerns they may have related to their children’s education.
The next scheduled meeting of the board is Friday [Oct. 23] at Noon in the JPS School Board Room, located at 621 South State St.
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