Troy School Board considers options on programs
The music, art and physical education classes at Troy’s Morrison Elementary have been fluid over the past two years, and the Troy School Board will be considering different ways to formulate those programs as it conducts interviews to fill five teaching positions.
“This time of the year you’re trying to look at every option you can think of,” said Brady Selle, superintendent of Troy Schools. “You’re trying to be innovative and creative in filling some of these positions.”
Ellen Arvish taught for 35 years, and when she retired two years ago as Troy’s elementary PE, art and music teacher, she left big shoes to fill.
“She was an avid hiker, and she was this incredibly talented musician,” elementary school principal Lance Pearson said. “We knew it was a juxtaposition of two incredible talents that would be very difficult to replace.”
This year’s art, music and PE teacher, Jill Dieser, has done an excellent job, Selle said, but she will be teaching kindergarten or first grade next year.
The board decided to have teachers in the general classroom instruct their students in art next year, and to advertise for a PE and music teacher combination.
After Selle announced at Monday’s school board meeting that he had received only one applicant for the position, Pearson suggested a new approach.
He believes that with a combination of music curriculum in the general classroom and in after-school programs like the chorus, the school could hire just a PE teacher to instruct children in physical fitness every day of the week.
“I wholeheartedly believe in music education,” Pearson said during an interview. “Kids exposed to music score higher on math tests all the way through … PE everyday is a valuable thing (too). Getting the kids out and active is important.”
Pearson pointed out that last year, which was the first year without Arvish, teachers in the general classroom taught students music by preparing them for the school’s Christmas program. They have commented that they enjoyed it, Pearson said, and would like to continue instructing music.
“In the long-term, what do we really want?” Pearson said. “The teachers are telling me, ‘We can do the art and music’ … and we can supplement it with the after-school program.”
The board had received three applicants as of Tuesday for the high school music teacher position, which would revive fifth- and sixth-grade band, a class that has taken a two-year hiatus.
In other news:
• The board unanimously approved a 2 percent raise next year for the elementary and high school principals.
• Students involved in the Close-Up program gave a presentation to the board.
• Troy High School principal Jeff Ralston requested the board review the per diem allowed for staff while traveling. Three teachers in attendance agreed with Ralston that $6.50 for breakfast and lunch and $12.50 for dinner is not enough. Ralston recommended doubling the amount, or at least bumping it up 50 percent for out-of-state travel.
• A high school student presented a petition signed by 100 students, student council members and teachers requesting the board to reconsider its policy of not allowing facial piercings.