feature Music Programs Provide Key to Success


for High Schools Facing Tough Times David Hay, Principal, Kettle Moraine High School


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As Wisconsin schools battle against an inadequate school funding system school administrators face unrelenting and dif- ficult decisions on balancing necessary budget reductions against student needs. Almost every district in our state has real- ized forced budget reductions since 1993 when the Wisconsin legislature imposed revenue limits that capped school funding while expenses continued to climb.


What to cut, and in what order varies from community to community, board to board, and even school to school. I frequently hear educators say, “we are what we measure” when talking about educational priorities – especially when challenged to identify program areas for possible elimination. Through this lens school administrators are inclined to “protect” measured subjects like English & Language Arts, Math, Science and perhaps Social Studies. With added pres- sure for all students to be prepared for college, Foreign Language must now be considered “protected” as well.


The natural conclusion that everything outside of this defined set of priorities is “fair game” for reductions is assumed by many. Doing so without fully considering the unintended consequences could place our schools in even greater jeopardy.


The Kettle Moraine Challenge


As principal of Kettle Moraine (KM) High School, in Wales, Wisconsin, I have been faced with the forced elimination of more than 10 teaching positions, in addition to 12+ support staff. We did however experience these critical reductions while protecting a very robust music program. KM students are currently served by two full-time band teachers, two full-time choir teachers and one full-time orchestra teacher. Combined, these programs serve fully half of our high school population of 1,500 students.


24 January 2011


In the midst of significant challenges, the KM school board issued its own chal- lenge to our community – the challenge to


transform. In May 2006, the school board passed a resolution directing district staff to “Transform the educational delivery


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