BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Office of the Superintendent

City Hall, Room #712 Buffalo, New York 14202 Phone (716) 816-3575 Fax (716) 851-3033

July 23, 2013

Dear BPS Colleagues; I hope this finds you well. I write to address the requests from some of our stakeholders to restore the instrumental music programs that were offered at some of our schools during the 2012-13 school year. During this past school year, we implemented several initiatives that were intended to improve student performance. Two of those initiatives included a more equitable method for allocating resources (based on specific student needs) and school-based budgeting. Together, these provided more opportunity for School Leadership Teams (made up of administrators, teachers and parents) to analyze the students' needs and make the best decisions about the most effective ways to utilize their resources to meet those needs. In some cases, these decisions resulted in the reduction or elimination of some instrumental music programs. Based on an investigation of this, we have learned that some teams of parents and educators decided to redirect some resources to strengthen their core academic programs. While some may disagree with this premise, I'm sure we all understand the need to ensure that all of our students master the academic skills that will prepare them well for their future. In response to the recent advocacy for instrumental music and in light of the fact that we have just launched school-based budgeting for the first time, I have been working with the school board and community at large to partially or completely restore these programs for the 2013-14 school year. I believe we are close to finding a solution. I expect to provide a more detailed update soon. Realizing that this will only be a one-year solution, it will give us an opportunity to determine the role that the arts, athletics and other similar programs will play in the core curriculum that we may offer all students. In addition, each School Leadership Team will have more time to educate the entire school community on the representative role that the team plays in each school, gather input and plan to meet students' needs. Thank you for your continued commitment to helping each child to prepare for college and career. All the best,

Pamela C. Brown, Ed.D. Superintendent Buffalo Public Schools

Putting children and families first to ensure high academic achievement for all.