Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom.
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Multiple studies, as well as student and family testimonials, support the importance of arts and arts education. Involvement in music, theater, dance, painting, drawing and other forms of artistic expression are not only good for young hearts and souls, but for the development of minds as well.
That's why schools — even those under tremendous budget pressures — should take every step to maintain arts programs.
A recent Star Tribune story reported on the possibility of numerous proposed cuts to the arts in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) — with some of the worst at South High School. If proposed reductions are approved by the school board this month, South's popular dance program plus the school's music and drama/theater offerings could be significantly reduced.
Elsewhere in the district, full-time-equivalent music positions are being eliminated at Andersen Middle School, Hmong International Academy Elementary and North High. That high school's dance class was recently featured in another news story that detailed how it is attracting growing numbers of students and helping them stay engaged in their educations.
In a statement to an editorial writer, MPS officials said that when a "second budget process took place to include contract obligations made following the teacher strike, additional staff position reductions were required." Those reductions occurred across all content areas and schools and were generally focused on classes that had lower enrollment and/or low student interest, they said.
Officials pointed out that reducing positions doesn't necessarily translate into lost jobs for individuals because they might move into open positions. They also noted that recommendations to "excess a position could be the decision of the school administration or the employee themselves." They added that when schools face budget cuts, they typically focus on maintaining positions in core subject areas rather than electives — which are often arts classes.
