Band parents urge board to earmark referendum funds for Fort Mill High band room

Two Fort Mill High School band parents urged the school board to dedicate a portion of an upcoming bond referendum to expanding the high school's band room, describing current rehearsal limits and safety constraints.

"Our students attend marching band rehearsals on a marked parking lot and during inclement weather or lightning alerts we have no place to go," said Ashley Welsh, who identified herself as president of the Fort Mill Band Boosters. She told the board the program has outgrown its current band room, that storage and ceiling height constrain instruction and that the program’s enrollment is projected to grow.

Angie Wood, a parent and member of the school improvement council, said the band room is too small for projected growth and for proper storage of instruments and uniforms. "We are projecting to have more than 200 students in our high school band program next year," Wood said, urging the board to "allocate the necessary resources to make it a reality."

Administrators and board members responded that they were aware of space constraints at Fort Mill High and are "working a plan to try to address those" as the district plans for growth and for an upcoming bond referendum. The board previously adopted a resolution to hold an election for a proposed $24 million referendum to address additional facilities needs; the superintendent and board reminded the public that the election is scheduled for March 19 and that early voting information is posted on the district website.

Board members did not make a commitment on how referendum proceeds would be allocated during the meeting; the administration said it will continue planning and report back to the board. The public comment period closed after the two speakers; no formal board action on band facilities was taken at the meeting.