Due to budget shortfalls, Norwich Public Schools plans to lay off more than 40 teachers at the end of the school year, including three music teachers.
One of the Norwich Free Academy students, third-year student Drea Tutt, started a GoFundMe page to support NPS Music. She said she had only raised $210 as of Tuesday, but she expects it to gain momentum.
Tutt tried to put up fundraising posters around the NFA, but the school asked her to remove them. But she still promotes the cause on social media and says she still has a few flyers left.
like family
Tutt started playing in the school band during the 2020-21 school year. She said Tutt learned firsthand the value of music education in a short period of time.
“Having a band made me realize how important it is and how many opportunities there are,” Tutt said.
For Tutt, music has helped her with her schoolwork and served as an outlet during difficult times.
Tutt's mother, Melissa Mainville, noticed that her daughter was being asked to join a band.
“They literally form a family with the other band members,” Mainville said.
A band trip gone awry showed the spirit of the family. The NFA band went on a trip to Boston, but it was cut short by a day due to the flu. The band director was also sick, but Mainville said he ordered care packages, including soup and saltines, for each sick student.
City Board of Education
Ahead of the April 16th Norwich School Board meeting, rumors circulated that music would be cut completely from the NPS, as was the case during previous budget crises. The retrenchments formulated by the district administration have avoided large-scale retrenchment from certain departments. However, most of the 44 positions that were cut were funded by pandemic-related grants, so these cuts are in line with the NPS's desired $100 million budget and the $93 million that Norwich City Council currently plans to award. All they had to do was make up the $7 million difference.
Mr. Tutt was one of the NFA students who spoke at the conference. She also asked Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom what could be done regarding music programming during a Q&A held at the NFA on April 17.
“I still feel that if we were to cut teachers, it would have a huge impact on the program,” Tutt said.
The school board appreciates the community's support of music, but this could impact the budget process between the district, city and state, Assistant Superintendent Susan Lessard said April 19. stated in a letter.
“Once again, thank you for your continued support of our music program and school,” she said. “Together, we can ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve.”
The influence of music education
Tutt hopes the money raised will be used in the best way for music education, she said.
Tutt said starting music education at an early age is critical to student learning and bonding.
“Learning music is more than just learning music,” she said.
Mainville said the music program provides an outlet for students to cope with stress and find their voice.
“They develop bonds and friendships, and there are people who care about them,” she says.
