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Frederick County Schools won't axe music programs over budget concerns

The school board now has to figure out another way to close a $50 million budget gap.

FREDERICK, Md. — The music program at a Maryland school district is off the chopping block for now after an hours-long school budget hearing that lasted into the late hours of Wednesday night. Now, Frederick County Public Schools still has to figure out a way to close a $50 million budget gap.

Excitement from thousands of students and several teachers who were concerned about their jobs and the band and orchestra being cut. This was a part of the discussion during the Frederick County School Board budget meeting that lasted over five hours.

Board members voted unanimously to keep the 4th and 5th grade instrumental programs in the school district. During the meeting board members admitted to this being a hard decision and there was a lot of back and forth. Ultimately members noted the lengthy emotional testimony to helping them make this decision because the band and orchestra program was among several others that were going to be cut for the 2025 budget.

There was standing ovation once the vote concluded in favor of keeping the program going.

The packed meeting included people who showed up to advocate for the program.

“I humbly ask that you please reconsider this decision," one parent said during the public comment period. The group included parents, students and educators.

“I found out that rockstars wasn’t the only path for someone in music," a FCPS 6th grader said. "I found something I was good at, I found something I was obsessed with.”

Before a decision was even made students showcased their talents outside of the FCPS board meeting.

“In 4th grade you’re totally open to what music might bring, and if you are lucky like me, it might entirely change what you think you might do with your life," the 6th grade student said.

If the program had been cut it would also mean some staff who work directly with the program would be out of a job, too.

“I think that people feel very very strongly," said Dara Vila, Alumni Parent and Frederick HS Music Booster Vice President. "My senior is graduating next week but it doesn’t change the fact that I love our music programs. It will break my heart if they take this money away," she said before the vote.

Fellow staff members supported outside with signs.

“I think about the biggest thing it can take away is the educational opportunities and life experiences that instrumental music does bring for kids," Urbana Middle School Band Director Doug Conrad said.

Many shared a similar argument about how a musical program has played a pivotal role in either their personal lives when they were a student, or in the lives of their kids.

“Fourth and fifth graders aren’t going to have that experience, that rich experience that grows from when you’re so little," Vila said.

“Kids deserve to have music, they deserve to express themselves," Kas, high school student said.

“I’m now an animation major, I wouldn’t have any of those skills if I hadn’t have done band," Arwen Creswell, an FCPS alumni said.

While board members voted in favor of a motion to not eliminate band program, the board still has to balance the budget by June 30. 

Other cuts district leaders have proposed to balance the budget. FCPS voted unanimously to cutting more than $16 million from the salary resource pool, increasing class sizes and cutting full-time positions. The board also proposed increasing athletic fees.

The next board meeting is scheduled for May 29, and a final meeting will happen on June 12, where final decisions will be made.

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