The fourth grade strings program was cut several years ago due to budget constraints.
LONGMEADOW- The fourth grade strings program will be reinstated next year after a music task force came to a compromise that works for teachers, administrators and parents.
"The task force worked together to make sure our students have as much access to music as possible," said Superintendent of Schools Marie Doyle.
The fourth grade strings program was cut several years ago due to budget constraints. The fifth grade band was cut last year, but was reinstated after parents, students and teachers protested the decision.
Doyle said the problem with the music program was that it pulled students from math, science, social studies and English classes.
"The fifth grade teachers were frustrated, especially when they were having students pulled from math class because it is hard to make up the time lost,"she said.
The task force came to a compromise which will allow students to be pulled from any class except math class.
Teachers have also agreed to do some lessons before and after school, Doyle said.
She commended the task force and the teachers for being able to restore the fourth grade strings program as well as the fifth grade band without any additional staff.
The School Committee also voted to accept two additional students into the kindergarten METCO program bringing the total to four new students next year. The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, or METCO is a voluntary school desegregation program that allows minority students from Boston and Springfield to attend suburban schools in nearby towns.
School Committee member John Fitzgerald said he has spoken to a lot of parents and teachers who believe METCO provides diversity in the town and benefits the residents as well as the recipients of the program.
School Committee Chairman Armand Wray did not agree with the decision to add two additional METCO students next year.
"This will have a financial impact to the district. The reimbursement for the program is not in line with the cost of each student. I think this is a fiscally irresponsible move," he said
The committee voted 4-3 to accept the four students. Wray and members Geoffrey Weigand and Thomas Brunette voted against bringing on the additional students.