Marion USD delays action on pricey band trip
'More research' sought before decision is made
Staff writer
Concerns about the price tag attached to a proposed band trip caused Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education to delay action until comparisons could be make on similar activities.
With only four of the seven board members present, vice president Gene Bowers said he wished there were more members present so they could express their feelings on the matter. Members Keith Collett, Kathy Meierhoff, and Chris Sprowls were absent.
Continuing a topic brought up during the June meeting, Marion High School band director Mike Connell presented information regarding the Concert Band Cup, billed as the "world championship of concert bands" produced by FAME Events.
Held in Branson, Mo., the competition features the "best of the nation's high school concert bands with clinically acclaimed clinicians in a competitive format," according to a fact sheet provided by FAME Events.
The event is set for the weekend of April 15-16, the only available spring dates on the MHS school calendar. The first day is set for preliminary competition, while the second day involves final competition — if the band qualifies after the first competition. If not, the band will attend the performances of other finalist groups.
"We'd leave early on April 15 and get back late on April 16," Connell said.
According to a financial sheet prepared by Connell, the overall cost of the trip will be $18,320, based on 80 Marion attendees, including students, sponsors, and bus drivers.
Connell said he had set the band's fund-raising goal at $20,000 to ensure there was more than enough money available.
Each of the 68 students attending will pay $100. That $6,800 plus the $4,400 in the current band fund brings the total to $11,200. The band will need to bring in $7,120 through various fund-raising activities.
McConnell said a band steering committee composed of parents had been formed to help in directing fund-raising and organizing the trip. Sharon Zogelman was named president during the group's organization meeting.
Fund-raising activities could include a bowling tournament, fun run in association with the Kiwanis Club during Old Settlers' Day, district-wide slave auction, football concessions, setting up donation buckets at Art in the Park, Old Settlers' Day, homecoming, and the Christmas concert, or recording a Christmas concert CD, with both band and vocal groups, which could be offered for sale.
Connell told the board he looked into sending students to a similar event at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo. However, the dates conflicted with other activities already on the school calendar.
The band director said he already had sent in a form guaranteeing the band a slot at the competition. During the June board meeting, the board OK'd that action but stipulated no money should be sent in until it received more information.
"No money has been sent in yet. If we back out now it's not a problem, but I will need to recommend another school from the state," Connell said.
"It seems pricey," said board vice president Gene Bowers.
"And it's not covering a couple meals," commented board president Rex Savage. "I can tell you from experience that'll cost you a couple bucks."
Savage asked if the $100 cost per student would affect participation. Connell said the steering committee though some students might have a harder time coming up with the money than others.
Marion High School principal Ken Arnhold, who also is on the parent steering committee, said the group could approach the Marion and Florence chambers of commerce and explain the situation. Those students could work for merchants and others "needing a little extra help" to earn the $100 seed money.
"We're not looking for a handout," Arnhold said.
Connell said he hoped there would be enough money in the coffers that if a student should absolutely need financial help it would be available.
Bowers said no matter how the district gets the money it comes "out of our community.
"The first payment is due Sept. 15. You've got to make the first payment before you ever start raising funds," Bowers said.
Board member Roger Hannaford III said he believed Connell had put together a good steering group.
"I feel if everyone works hard there's no doubt they can raise that money," he said.
Connell said band students were excited when the trip was initially discussed. "I said I needed to see a commitment. I suppose that was about 97 percent," he said. "The eighth grade members were all gung ho."
Arnhold also agreed the students he had talked to were excited about the trip.
Connell also mentioned band officers were exceptionally responsible and committed.
Hannaford made the motion to approve the trip. Board member Sarah Cope seconded the motion.
Bowers said he would like to see the students take the trip but was concerned it was merely a money-making project for FAME Events. Bowers mentioned the large number of solicitations parents receive from companies wanting them to send in money on behalf of their children.
"I also think this is real aggressive on the amount of money we have to raise," he said.
Bowers indicated he wished to see more research. "Is this what these things cost? Do other festivals cost like this? Is it really an honor to go there?" he questioned.
Savage noted that with only four members present the motion would fail if a no vote was cast. Hannaford then withdrew the motion until more information was received and more board members were present.
"It's a personal thing for me," Bowers explained, "this commercialization of schools."
Superintendent Lee Leiker and Connell said there was still "a little time" before the district needed to make a financial commitment to FAME Events.
Leiker said he would meet with both Connell and Arnhold to obtain information to Bowers' questions before the issue was discussed again.
