Advertisement

What about the best interest of the students

March 04, 2005

Dear Editor:

On Monday night, the Boyle County Board of Education unanimously denied the band boosters' request to host a band competition in October. Had it been approved, it would have been the first competition in many years to have been held at our school. The members of the board and the superintendent reported their findings after having contacted several schools that host competitions. To no one's surprise, they learned that a football field suffers wear the more it is used. Based on these findings and out of a perceived fear of increased risk of injury to the football team, the request was denied.

What was glaringly missing from board's reports was whether any inquiries were made about what is in the best interests of the students.

In the interest of the football team, would it not have been appropriate to inquire of the other schools if there is indeed an increase in frequency or seriousness of injuries after playing on a field on which competitions are held, or if injuries are more prevalent on the home field than on an opponent's field on which no competitions are held.

Advertisement

In the interest of the band members, would it not have been appropriate to inquire how hosting a competition provides the funds to adequately support a vibrant music program, and how it enriches the band members, the school and the community.

And in the interest of both parties, would it not have been appropriate to ask how a school can successfully integrate the needs of both programs and why, despite the effect on the football field, many schools continue to host band competitions year after year.

The board made a thorough investigation and reached a well-informed decision about what is in the best interest of the football field. However, they appear to have performed little investigation and made an ill-informed decision about what is in the best interest of the students.

Larry T. Clark

Danville

Central Kentucky News Articles
|
|
|