Dear Editor,

The people of Tyler County have been blessed with an outstanding school system. Our students consistently rank in the top echelon of academic performance in the state. Also, our students have excelled for years in band competitions, choral competitions, FFA, Social Studies Fairs, Math Field Day, and many others.

There are many people involved in this continuing success.

Our students are hard working, motivated and excellent ambassadors of Tyler County Schools. Parents are true partners in education and loyal supporters of the many different aspects of the educational process.

Our administration works tirelessly to evaluate programs and implement the best educational practices for all areas of instruction. Our teachers are second to none. They are knowledgeable, professional, caring, and give their time and abilities to help each individual student achieve success.

The arts are an integral part of our students’ success. Just last year, Tyler County was honored with an award from the state for continued support of the Arts in Education. Surely, we don’t want to lose such a valuable resource.

The music programs at every level of instruction have been outstanding through the years. If you have ever been to a band concert of gone to listen to the All-County Chorus Program, you’ve heard wonderful performances. This choral instruction for the elementary school students is now in jeopardy.

I know these are difficult times financially for everyone – including our school system.

But I believe that cutting the music program to just half time at each elementary school is a step backwards. Both elementary schools have a history of excellent music education, and Matt Jennings, the music instructor at AIB, has continued this success.

Mr. Jennings has an innovative approach to music instruction for all levels and he has continued the award-winning choir program, the choir performance programs for students, parents, the community, at nursing homes, and even at the Parkersburg Mall during the Christmas season. All of these opportunities for students will be lost if the music programs are cut to half time at each elementary school.

I hope that a solution will be found by the administrators and the Board of Education that will enable us to keep full time music education in both of our elementary schools.

I know that everyone is doing their best – and will continue to do so – to keep educational excellence here in Tyler County.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Smith

Alma