The South Washington School Board decided Thursday to keep Crestview Elementary School in Cottage Grove open, but to cut music teaching district-wide for elementary students.
That drew cheers of support from Crestview parents, and anger from parents of music students.
“That would be cutting the tree off at the root,” said Joe Thornton, father of two music-loving sons.
The board had hoped to slash $18 million from the district’s three-year budget, because of COVID-related expenses. Part of that was supposed to be a $12 million cut in next year’s budget but Thursday’s votes have reduced those savings to $9 million.
The district had planned to close Crestview to save $1 million annually.
A series of public protests by parents apparently had an impact.
The parents said Crestview is the most racially-diverse school in the system, and closing it would impact racial minorities. Crestview has 425 students. The district is 66 percent white; Crestview is 52 percent white, 11 percent Hispanic and 15 percent Black.
“It was incredible to know that our voices were heard,” said Rebecca Cuellar, president of the PTA and the mother of a second and fourth-grader. “For the kids and families who are often overlooked and cast aside, the vote last night shows that they are seen and they are valued, and they deserve a seat at the table.”
Cuellar, of Cottage Grove, said more than 2,500 people signed an online petition posted on Change.org to save the school.
Although Crestview supporters celebrated after Thursday’s vote, she said they are concerned that school could be targeted again.
“We know that our equity work is not even close to being done,” Cuellar said. “We’re going to continue to fight for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives not just for our school, but for the entire district. Our kids deserve these things, and we will continue to fight for them.”
Meanwhile, parents of music students vowed to keep fighting. They have hired a consultant — John Benham of the group Save School Music — to study the impact of music classes on the district’s children.
Music classes — especially at younger ages — are essential to child development, they said. “The payoff is huge in the long run,” said Jonathan Heilmann of Cottage Grove, father of a fourth-grader and a seventh-grader.
Heilmann said the school is targeting popular programs to alarm parents – and build up support for the next bond issue.
“They know a group will cry out,” said Heilmann. “Let’s find something to get the parents riled.”
Thornton points to his sons — one in the University of Minnesota marching band, the other a saxophone player and high-school senior.
“They both benefitted so much from band — I can’t even quantify it,” said Thornton, the co-president of the Woodbury High School Band Boosters. “It taught them leadership, discipline, goal-setting. That wouldn’t be possible unless they started in fifth grade.”