LETTER FROM MELBA WEBB ELLISON,
JHS Class of 1961
Subject: Band Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 22:19:57 -0700 From: "melba ellison" <ellisonduo@leaco.net> To: <GPhil@ix.netcom.com>
Hi Jerry,
I just read your latest plea about the band and thought I'd quote you a few statistics. When we were in school the enrollment was probably around 1300 to 1400 students. The enrollment today is less than 500. This year we lost 80 students and our state financing has been cut $300,000. We are graduating 34 seniors this year and only expect to gain 25 new students in gradeschool in the fall. Next year 54 seniors will be graduating. I know of two Jal families who are moving when school is out because of their jobs and that takes six more kids out of the system.
I think two of the board members have kids in the band and they hated the idea of dropping the band (so it is not the fault of the Jal School Board). Some people have wondered, why not cut football or basketball, but the thing is, the coaches for those two sports also teach and get subsidized for coaching. Most teachers do more than one thing. The band program costs $70,000. That pays the band leader and for instruments. The band leader does one thing, and that would be fine, except there is no money. Nobody wants to end the band program, especially the 8 members who are left. (I thought it was 12 or so but today I heard it was 8 members). The Board would like to find someone who would sponsor a band outside the school system. If anybody has any ideas on that subject they can contact the Board.
I heard today that Dealva Blocker is retiring. She is not being replaced. Some of the other teachers will absorb her duties.
I wish we had the grand old band of the 50's and 60's and that's what most exes have in mind when they think of the Jal High School Band. Believe me, it's not the same and it's not for lack of wanting, it's for lack of money. If you want to do something to help, move to Jal, bring your kids and grandkids, your tired, your poor, your huddled masses longing to be free.........Oh wait, that's another story....
Well, I'll get off my soapbox and say, don't criticize, HELP!!! no, I don't know how, you figure it out.
Respectfully and Regretfully,
Melba Webb Ellison