Getting funds for the arts is enough of a challenge as it is. The impact of last year's high gas prices and the current financial downturn have put an extra squeeze on funds. From the need for boosters to pay a little more in expenses, to early notifications of pink slips, teachers all over the country are feeling the pressure.
Many states are facing budget deficits and will be looking at school districts to reduce spending. "The district administration and board are committed to the arts; however, the community’s willingness to fund increased property taxes has ended," says New York MENC member Paul Tooker. "If the economy continues to spiral downward, I fear that student participation in band at all levels may be curtailed with staff reassignments, or even worse, eliminated with cuts."
Music programs are adapting to the short term effects as best they can. In some cases, shared costs mitigate the impact. Minnesota MENC member Phillip Richardson says, "Gasoline prices have increased bus costs, however those costs are borne between the activities office (region and state activities) and the band department (everything else)." In other cases, teachers are given discretion. "Currently we have been advised to limit our field trips and such, but no one has been denied travel as of yet," says Ohio MENC member Jennifer Mollenkopf.
Over the long term, the pool of available jobs could shrink. Experienced teachers might become less willing to retire or leave their jobs. School districts may look at new teachers as a less expensive alternative. Prepare for this possibility today:
- Build social networks to learn of opportunities
- Work hard on your resume to make it stand out
- Practice your interview skills to increase confidence
Check out the MENC Career Center Job List.
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Coming in two weeks: A Magical Instrument
-- Paul Fergus, January 30, 2009, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education (www.menc.org)