An Open Letter to the Burnaby Board of Education Trustees

An Open Letter to Balijinder Narang, Chair of the Burnaby Board of Education Trustees

The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia (CMEBC) has consistently recognized and celebrated the Burnaby Board of Education’s historic commitment to quality music education programs for all students in Kindergarten through to Grade Seven in Burnaby schools. Along with ensuring every student has access to music education throughout their time in elementary school, Burnaby has also been a leader in recognizing the vital role qualified music specialists play in ensuring the delivery of a comprehensive music program. This commitment to music education has continued in the face of years of budget restrictions.

 The CMEBC strongly encourages the Burnaby Board of Education to maintain this commitment and not make cuts to music programming as part of the potential budget adjustments that were announced on April 9^th, 2014. We are concerned that these cuts which will impact students by reducing the number of music teachers in the district as well as eliminate the strong festival program which is a key aspect of the music program in Burnaby. The CMEBC is also concerned that this is only the beginning and that music educators will find themselves in this position again in years to come as the district continues to face increasing costs and the requirement to submit a balanced budget.

The Coalition for Music Education in BC strongly urges the Burnaby Board of Education’s Trustees amend the budget proposal that reduces the number of music teachers in the district so that thousands of Burnaby children will continue to have a quality music education program throughout their elementary experience.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia

Who we are

The Coalition for Music Education in British Columbia Society (CMEBC) is a registered non-profit society

made up of parents, educators, arts organizations, and supporters from across our communities whose mission is to protect, promote, and advance music education in British Columbia.

For questions or comments, please email president@cmebc.org