A need for increased funding for arts programs in the West Windsor-Plainsboro public schools was raised at a recent board of education meeting. Two separate committees presented reviews of the district’s Fine and Performing Arts Program, raising concerns of underfunding.
The district undertook both an external and an internal review, which resulted in similar recommendations. The external review was conducted by the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership consulting firm and presented by Robert Morrison. The internal review was conducted by a committee of school faculty and presented by Jeffrey Santoro, district supervisor of fine and performing arts.
The reports indicated that the current state of the arts program is good, but improvements are possible. “We are happy with what we have,” Santoro said. However, both reports pointed to a need for additional resources to meet growing student enrollment.
According to the external report, the per-pupil arts spending in the district is $15.22, less than half of the peer district average of $33.04. Additionally, the student to art teacher ratio in the district is 187, higher than the peer district average of 136.
“We’re in the process of determining why the data showed what it did,” Santoro said. “My hope is to bring to the Board of Education a more detailed analysis of our funding levels compared to our peer districts.”
Morrison explained that these figures could be attributed to the existence of only two arts disciplines in the district.
“It does speak to the need for additional investment in the program,” Morrison said. “The good news is that you have a tremendous number of students enrolled.” However, he added, “By almost any metric, you are understaffed.”
The internal review found that since the 2008-2009 school year, enrollment in middle and high school music ensembles has increased by 22 percent. Additionally, the price of arts materials such as clay and paint has gone up. While the budget has grown incrementally, it does not reflect the rise in arts costs and student participation.
“As our enrollment has gone up, some of the budget items have not.” Santoro said. “Almost every building has an issue with instructional space or storage space or both.”
West Windsor-Plainsboro has the highest number of enrolled students in arts programs among its peer districts, due its larger overall population. Some 80 percent of students in the district are enrolled in arts programs.
The reports recommended an increase in funding and faculty size in order to meet the growing needs of the community. Many of the existing facilities and classes are at capacity, but the number of students is expected to increase in coming years. Upcoming residential development projects are expected to yield more than 500 additional students in the district within the next two years.
West Windsor-Plainsboro was also found to be lagging behind peer districts in the area of cultural engagement. The district has limited field trips and assemblies, and no artists residency programs and cultural organization partnership, which exist in numerous peer districts. The reports addressed this concern by recommending building relationships with regional arts programs in Princeton, Philadelphia and New York.
The reports included recommendations to update the curriculum to adhere to the 2017 New Jersey Student Learning Standards, and incorporate technology into schoolwork. Additionally, the reports emphasized the need to implement dance and theater course offerings in addition to the existing music and visual arts programs.
The internal report also emphasized the need for an instrument maintenance budget and faculty training. According to the external report, 69 percent of teachers in the district reported that they have no input on the budgeting process in their department.
The next step in the process will be to work on timelines and actionable steps, according to Santoro. He mentioned that the district plans to begin offering high school theater classes next year.
“Although we still have work to do with the program review, the district has already begun to increase budget and staff to address some of the recommendations that came through in the reports,” he said.
Superintendent David Aderhold addressed the board of education following the presentation of the reports. “When we moved towards this year’s budget creation, we did look at staffing, and we did look at replacement costs for instruments,” he said.
Under the budget that was approved during the April 28 board meeting, there will be three additional music staff members. Additionally, the budget will include a replacement program for musical instruments, at an estimated cost of $50,000.
The internal review committee is meeting to continue the evaluation process. “Obviously, we’ll have to take time to look through other aspects of the arts program,” Aderhold added.
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