N.H. to decide fired music teacher's fate

The future of the music program at Hinsdale Middle and High School will be decided by a Department of Education hearing officer.

[Ashlee Minns]

As a former student of Hinsdale and Mr. Kennedy, I would just like to say that I am severely disappointed in the down-turn my school has taken since I graduated in 2007. I don't want to point fingers, but from what I hear throughout the town, the fault is that of the new principal, Mr. Sullivan. I graduated the year before he took over the school and I am now glad that I was able to. It seems that he has caused and created more problems than he has solved.

And now he is trying to cut the music program. Music is an essential part of any student’s education. Cutting an in-demand program is absurd. I could understand eliminating the program if enrollment was declining, but it’s increasing! Hinsdale is a small school so the amount of students involved in the music program is going to be small. Mr. Sullivan may argue that the final number enrolled will be smaller due to scheduling conflicts, but sending them over to BUHS is an even worse idea as far as scheduling is concerned. It cuts even more learning time out of a student’s day. And making students go to BUHS after normal school hours is not fair to the students. There is also no more room at BUHS for the Hinsdale students. The school board is crazy to be going along with this.

Mr. Kennedy is an outstanding teacher and to deprive the students of the education he provides is ridiculous.

What’s next to be cut? Sports? Art? English?!

If Mr. Sullivan continues to cut programs and fire teachers, he’s going to be the principal of an empty school.

[Wayne]

If you don't want to point fingers, then why did you? I'm sure you can find just as many if not more on the opposite end of the aisle.

[normal]

What is the Hinsdale school board thinking!! How would this work?? My son goes to BUHS and I heard that the music program is already crowded !

[Joe]

how did man kind survive for millions of years without a music program in school ?

[Angie]

Joe wrote:

how did man kind survive for millions of years without a music program in school ?

That was called the dark ages!!! Music is an essential part of our learning and understanding of the world!!!! I believe that Plato said it best..."Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him who is ill-educated ungraceful."

[Angie]

Wayne wrote:

If you don't want to point fingers, then why did you? I'm sure you can find just as many if not more on the opposite end of the aisle.

I have heard the stories of what Mr. Kennedy has been subjected to during the past two years and I AM pointing fingers. Mr. Sullivan is a disgrace to the educational system. As a teacher of thirteen years myself, I would not stand for the disrespect, rudeness, and general mishandling of a school and its employees that Hinsdale has experienced with Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Kennedy has given everything to make the Hinsdale band and music program a success and up until two years ago has been successful in the eyes of the administration and public. Why is it that when Mr. Sullivan arrives, Mr. Kennedy is all of the sudden doing a bad job. I know where my finger is pointing!!!

[Music Supporter]

Wayne wrote:

If you don't want to point fingers, then why did you? I'm sure you can find just as many if not more on the opposite end of the aisle.

Do the people on the opposite side of the aisle believe that HHS should eliminate the music program, do they believe that Mr. Kennedy is not an outstanding teacher or do they believe that Mr. Sullivan is doing a wonderful job?

I believe that the majority of Hinsdale residents do not want to see the music program eliminated. There are many more people who support the program but are afraid to speak out because of the current climate in the school. The support for the program and for Mr. Kennedy is a testament to Mr. Kennedy's teaching abilities. The chorus is also being sent to BUHS and we have not seen any students praising the chorus teacher. I think if you were honest you would agree with Ashlee that the principal has brought much bad press down on HHS and not just where music is concerned. I guess you didn't read the article in the Sentinel where Mr. Sullivan had very insulting things to say about our students and our school.

Hopefully you are not the Wayne that is the chair of the Hinsdale School Board because it would be very inappropriate for you to post a comment if that is who you are.

[Thomas]

Angie,

That's just your opinion....doesn't make it right, doesn't make it wrong. Both sides have presented their arguments and a decision will be made. But don't ridicule or place blame just because you don't agree.

[normal]

Angie wrote:

<quoted text>
That was called the dark ages!!! Music is an essential part of our learning and understanding of the world!!!! I believe that Plato said it best..."Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him who is ill-educated ungraceful."

I like that answer!!!

[normal]

Music Supporter wrote:

<quoted text>
Do the people on the opposite side of the aisle believe that HHS should eliminate the music program, do they believe that Mr. Kennedy is not an outstanding teacher or do they believe that Mr. Sullivan is doing a wonderful job?
I believe that the majority of Hinsdale residents do not want to see the music program eliminated. There are many more people who support the program but are afraid to speak out because of the current climate in the school. The support for the program and for Mr. Kennedy is a testament to Mr. Kennedy's teaching abilities. The chorus is also being sent to BUHS and we have not seen any students praising the chorus teacher. I think if you were honest you would agree with Ashlee that the principal has brought much bad press down on HHS and not just where music is concerned. I guess you didn't read the article in the Sentinel where Mr. Sullivan had very insulting things to say about our students and our school.
Hopefully you are not the Wayne that is the chair of the Hinsdale School Board because it would be very inappropriate for you to post a comment if that is who you are.

You couldn't have answered this any better. I agree wiht you 100%!!!

[Wayne]

Dear Music Supporter,

You can loosen your sphincter, I am not a member of the school board, nor do I have to agree with Ashlee to be honest. As Thomas says, it's just one person's opinion and I don't believe you can speak on behalf of the citizens, just yourself. Having anyone lose their job during these economic times is terrible, or to lose a long-standing program. But again, during these times, tough choices have to be made, and everyone can present a viable argument for whichever side their on. Bottom line, don't critize one for the sake of another.

[Joe]

wow if they don't have a crummy school band kids won't be exposed to music ? I heard they invented something called a radio and other new fangled things that play music.

old people are so funny, just stuck in the past to the max.

[New Clear Waste]

Wasn't it a budgetary decision? I mean, no one would want to cut a music program if they didn't have to.

When times get tough and the cuts come down, those affected always scream "Not MY program!" That just isn't helpful, because it happens no matter where you cut.

What is helpful are practical suggestions about where exactly to save money (Not just "somewhere else") or raise revenues to save your favorite program. That means getting active and getting into the details, it's not armchair work.

[Marc]

I hope the music program has changed dramatically since I attended Hinsdale back in the late 1980's.

We really didn't do much...usually a winter concert, sometimes a spring concert and we marched only in the Hinsdale Memorial Day Parade. It was a pretty sparce program...especially considering the way music programs are handled in my current area. The ones I'm now involved with have lots of competitions to attend along with special groups like symphony, strings and jazz with a lot of performances and opportunities.

Also, does the current program do a lot to help fund their program or do they just rely on the funding they receive from the school board?

I'm not in that area anymore and not familiar with the current program.

[Camron Kennedy]

Joe wrote:

wow if they don't have a crummy school band kids won't be exposed to music ? I heard they invented something called a radio and other new fangled things that play music.
old people are so funny, just stuck in the past to the max.

Wow. Joe, your direct comment calling the school band crummy directly bothers me. As a member of the band since i was in the seventh grade I have never considered us to be crummy. When you call it crummy though you are doing to things one insulting the teacher and two insulting the students. Other band students and I worked to be the best that we could being the size that we were. I want to know do you have children? If you do when you where raising them and they decided they wanted to play the guitar or drums did you complain and call them "crummy" just because they were not the next Hendricks. No you encourage them and you let them work to get better. On the other hand if you are attacking our band instructor i would also like to comment. Mr. Kennedy tried his hardest to find ways to challenge us! He would work around our schedule and find a way to make us have fun while playing and still be challenged. Also to "New Clear Waste", it was not because of the budget. The reason they gave for getting rid of Mr. Kennedy was decrease in enrollment. Even though he proved that the numbers have become equal/ grown since he started at HHS.

[Joe]

Camron Kennedy wrote:

<quoted text>
Wow. Joe, your direct comment calling the school band crummy directly bothers me.

I consider rap music crummy also.
Paying high taxes bothers me, my opinion doesn't cost you a cent so if you are annoyed big deal.

what hysterical emotional basket cases like you will never get is your cheerished activity is nothing more than a hobby, special interest funding no different than hiring some biker dude to run a harley repair & history course for a select few future bikers interested in such a activity.

People would think it was a waste of money to fund the harley club and pay some biker dude teachers wages so they could ride in parades & ride around at football games during half time while forcing everyone in the school to attend the biker dudes class about harleys.

[Angie]

Thomas wrote:

Angie,
That's just your opinion....doesn't make it right, doesn't make it wrong. Both sides have presented their arguments and a decision will be made. But don't ridicule or place blame just because you don't agree.

Thomas,
These are documented facts of what has transpired during the past two years. When you ridicule and degrade an employee publicly and privately, eventually that person will either leave or fight back. Thank God Mr. Kennedy has not given up on the people of Hinsdale. Music is a discipline not a hobby.

[Angie]

Joe wrote:

wow if they don't have a crummy school band kids won't be exposed to music ? I heard they invented something called a radio and other new fangled things that play music.
old people are so funny, just stuck in the past to the max.

Joe,
If the people on the radio were not expose to music, they would not be on the radio!! They would not have the knowledge to read or play the music. I guess I fall into the "old" category but I also feel wiser!!!!

[Angie]

New Clear Waste wrote:

Wasn't it a budgetary decision? I mean, no one would want to cut a music program if they didn't have to.
When times get tough and the cuts come down, those affected always scream "Not MY program!" That just isn't helpful, because it happens no matter where you cut.
What is helpful are practical suggestions about where exactly to save money (Not just "somewhere else") or raise revenues to save your favorite program. That means getting active and getting into the details, it's not armchair work.

It was not budgetary but what seems like a manhunt to destroy someone's teaching career. None of the other music teachers were targeted and badgered. I could understand if it was a budget issue, but that is not what the school board and principal are claiming. They say it is a decline in enrollment which Mr. Kennedy has proven is not the case. I hope Mr. Sullivan has realized that this is one person he cannot bully into submission.

[Joe]

Angie wrote:

<quoted text>
Joe,
If the people on the radio were not expose to music, they would not be on the radio!! They would not have the knowledge to read or play the music. I guess I fall into the "old" category but I also feel wiser!!!!

so you believe only the government can expose people to things and if the government doesn't do it than it won't exist. I'm amazed I can find a barber considering it wasn't offered as a course in school.

you aren't wise, you are emotional and brainwashed.

It would make more sense for people to keep their money and decide for themselves what their children are interested in and use their own money to pay for leasons for their childs special interest instead of hoping the government provides it and does a good job at providing it.Both the parents & grandparents would have more money if they paid less taxes and be able to provide for their own children & grandchildren.

Look at it this way, I pay like $3,000 a year in school taxes, if it was half that I would have $1500 a year to pay for my own childs needs. Considering the average person will most likely own a house for 50 years it's $75,000 that would stay in their pockets over the years and would buy a lot of music leason or whatever else somebody wanted for their child.

why do you want the government to steal from your family ?

how many kids are turned off to music and other things because they get exposed to some 60 year old teacher who tries jamming Elvis down their throats or Bing Crosby ? When you trust the government to do things that is likely to happen.

The government tried providing housing, wasn't nobody lined up to get into the government housing projects and you believe you are getting the best you can get letting the government provide something for you ?