Cassidy Elementary PTA members aim to keep the arts program alive
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The art program at Cassidy Elementary school is restructuring a portion of it.
Art special will not be in the curriculum next year.
After the decision from the school’s site-based decision making council, many in the parent teacher association knew they had to do something to keep the arts alive.
“We already have plans lined up for the fall,” says Rachel Buser, a member of the PTA at Cassidy Elementary.
With the news of the changes to the art program at Cassidy Elementary, parents, teachers and staff, are left at a loss.
But they knew something had to be done.
“When we found out we were as shocked as everyone else that we were going to lose our art special. It’s obviously very unfortunate situation, and so we just immediately went into action of what can we do? How can we help supplement this, there’s got to be a plan. And so we had to kind of get a little bit creative, we’re going off the cuff. But we’ve got some people who are really stepping up and willing to help volunteer willing to help contribute,” added Buser,
Buser also adding that the news was shocking, “we are creating a curriculum that is going to be available to all students during the class day. We’re partnering with local art community members, and they are going to come in once a month and provide an engaging and fun activity for our kids to do during the school day that would have been during their regular specials area time.”
She hopes in the near future certain questions are cleared up.
“I believe there is more information that has not been divulged by the county and so I’m interested in continuing to dig into the budget and why we were ever and why our SBDM Council was ever put in the position to have to make this decision,” she said.
Adding that the support has been incredible from the community.
“I am so proud to be a member of the Cassidy community. We have a group of very dedicated staff and teachers and they’re very passionate about what they do and we’re very blessed and well I’m really happy that the narrative is kind of changing away from you know, Cassidy cut the arts to Cassidy is a great school,” also said Buser.
The next school-based decision making council meeting is Monday, April 29th.
According to the Fayette County Public Schools District, they’ve not made any budget cuts.
They also add that each school’s SBDM has the autonomy to choose how to spend the funds that have been allocated for staffing.
Also, members of the site-based decision making councils are democratically elected by the parents and staff of each school to represent the school community and their interest.
