A classroom change is stirring up concern for the Schofield Middle School band community. Schofield Middle School’s current band class is reportedly being transferred into a classroom that was not designed for musical instruction despite currently residing in a room that was specifically built for those purposes. This has raised questions surrounding student and instructor safety and support for the arts in schools.
At an Aiken County Public School District Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, Aiken High School Band Booster Club Secretary Kimberly Crapse and retired Schofield Band Director Stephanie Threlkeld voiced their opinions on the change. Crapse talked about Aiken High’s new $16M auditorium , saying that if middle school students aren’t retained by a band program, they won’t feed into high school programs. “I’m sure you’ve all seen the beautiful new auditorium investment that’s been made at the high school, but if we don’t have these programs at the middle school level, they won’t be coming along to play in that auditorium,” she said.
Threlkeld talked about the current band room, saying: “It is evident that the school district spent a lot of time and money on a Schofield band room which was celebrated at its grand opening in 2003. This band room is known as one of the best middle school band rooms among state band directors ..
. why are we spending taxpayer money renovating a room that is not designated for band when there is already a fanta.