Dear Editor:
I attended the Board of Education on Thursday, May 30, because I wanted to voice my support for the Music Program in Parsippany’s School District. Over the past 2 years, the music program has been the target of budget cuts and what appears to be strategically planned personnel and scheduling changes by Superintendent Rixford, which seem to be designed to undermine or dismantle the music program.
Several months ago, the Superintendent proposed moving all instrument lessons to after school. This was opposed by music students and their parents because many of the children were involved in after school activities and athletic events. Fortunately, the Board of Education pushed back on this plan and required the Superintendent to come up with another alternative. His alternative was for children to take their private lessons during their band practice period, which is like asking the manager of a baseball team to give private batting lessons while managing a scrimmage. It was an illogical solution, which either expressed a fundamental ignorance of music education or possibly revealed an underlying goal of removing music from the public school system.
At the Board of Education Meeting on May 30th, many parents and children spoke, during the public session, to express their concerns for the changes that the Superintendent has proposed and the importance of music education. It seemed as if their arguments were well received by the Board. Frank Neglia proposed creating an Ad Hoc committee to look into what the Board can do to find time for private lessons to take place during the school day, and not in conflict with band class, as has always been the case. Andy Choffo, immediately indicated that he would like to be the Chair of that committee and other board members expressed interest in being part of the committee as well. This left Board of Education President, Fran Orthwein, with what would appear to be the logical task of forming the committee, with Andy Choffo as the chair.
Well, something apparently happened which prevented Ms. Orthwein from doing the “logical” thing. Yes, she did form a committee, but, she didn’t appoint Mr. Choffo as the chair of that committee.
In fact, to the surprise of many, she didn’t appoint Mr. Choffo to the committee at all. As a Parsippany taxpayer, I have to wonder why Ms. Orthwein chose to snub Mr. Choffo in this fashion? I am hopeful that the new committee will come up with viable alternatives to maintain the integrity of the music program. However, my understanding is that the Superintendent serves at the pleasure of the Board of Education.
I am concerned that this President of the Board of Education may have been either influenced or intimidated by the Superintendent, and if that is the case, that is not a good thing for our students and our residents.
David Comora
Parsippany
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