Board weighs adding bowling team as parents and students press for more music staffing

The board heard a proposal to add boys' and girls' bowling as a sanctioned sport after two years of volunteer club activity, while a separate, heated discussion unfolded over requests from music parents for a third full‑time music teacher.

Interim assistant principal for athletics Mr Dan Jones presented participation surveys and cost estimates for bowling, noting the sport would be offsite (bowling alley) and an IHSA sanctioned activity. He said participation appeared to come from students not currently in winter sports and estimated the district cost at about $10,614 for the first year.

The bowling item was presented for information and the board agreed to hold formal stien posting and further review at the next meeting. Phil McGovern, an English teacher who helped organize the bowling club, was recognized for recruiting students and leading earlier volunteer efforts.

A lengthy exchange then focused on whether the board should make an exception to the district's staffing allocation process to add a third full‑time music teacher. One board member argued that multiple asks at the meeting (bowling, culinary lab, solar) felt like they were displacing a persistent music staffing request. Parents and students in visitor statements urged the board to protect the music program, arguing music is a program and curriculum sequence that requires staffing stability. Maggie White told the board, "the number is based on 40 students per each music class not the program," calling for a staffing model that recognizes music's ensemble needs. A student said the music program is what "gets a kid out of bed" and asked for exceptions when programs are demonstrably special.

Administrators and other board members responded that staffing exceptions change districtwide processes and may need uniform application; several members urged the group to follow established processes, review metrics, and consider longer‑term solutions rather than one‑year adjustments.

No final board decision was made to change staffing policy at this meeting; the bowling stien was put on hold pending more information, and the board signaled willingness to continue discussion about the music staffing request at future meetings.