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After protest, Peters reappoints marching band director, assistants
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Peters school directors got an earful before and during a meeting Monday night from a group of marching band members and their supporters concerned about the status of the band director and his assistants.
The board also heard from parents who were angry about a middle school fight last week.
Dozens of high school marching band members and their parents demonstrated outside of district administration offices before the school board meeting, saying they were concerned that the board wouldn't reappoint the band director and five of his assistants.
"What we're trying to do is make it very well known that we support our sponsors," said band parent Libby Chalifoux.
Two weeks ago, the board was set to vote on reappointing marching band Director Milt Barney and his assistants, but took no action when the item was removed from the agenda without explanation.
During Monday's meeting, the board approved the reappointment of Mr. Barney and his assistants by a 6-2-1 vote, with board members Lori Cuervo and Ron Dunleavy dissenting. Member David Hvizdos abstained from voting.
Board member Sue Smith said she wanted to offer her "profound apologies" to the band sponsors and said she was "appalled by the way this has been handled."
Board members also heard from a group of parents who said their children were traumatized by a fight between two girls at the middle school April 24.
Parents urged the board to seek an independent mental health assessment and possible expulsion of a student who attacked another, but district Solicitor Gary Matta said the issue was "being handled by the administrators and my office."
More details in Thursday's PG South Xtra Edition.
First Published May 1, 2012 9:05 am
