IPS restores instrumental music offerings to schools

Young trumpeters and violinists at Indianapolis Public Schools may get to keep their instrument lessons next year after all.

IPS has reversed its decision to cut some instrumental music programs next year, IPS spokeswoman Kristin Cutler told Chalkbeat Friday afternoon, calling the cuts the result of an error.

“An error was identified in the adjusted staffing formula, and the extra music allocations have been restored to the schools found to be incorrectly allocated,” Cutler said.

Parents at the Center for Inquiry schools expressed anger Thursday at the decision, which was the result of a district-wide overhaul of music, art and physical education offerings in elementary schools.

School 84 is one of a handful of IPS elementary schools that would have had to stop offering instrumental music lessons next year under the district’s plan to make sure all schools get a full-time teacher in each of those subjects.

A district press release published Friday said IPS “will make necessary adjustments” to the new model.

Shari Himes, a Parent Teacher Association member and aunt of School 84 student, said she was pleased with the news.

“I think there were enough people who voiced their concern and as a result, people began to rethink that position,” Himes said. “That’s the best thing to do.”

IPS Center for Inquiry, which creates and oversees curriculum for three affiliated schools, called the decision “great news” on its Facebook page.

“All CFI schools will continue to offer instrumental music next year,” according to a post on the page published Friday morning. “We support the arts and IPS supports us!”