JOHNSTOWN - A public speaker last week urged the Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education to fill two music directorships that music teacher Daniel Jones was stripped of July 23. District officials said that may happen Thursday.
The board last summer decided not to reappoint Jones as director of the Johnstown High School marching band, jazz band and winter guard.
Board members earlier this month voted to approve the co-curricular staff appointment of James Morton as the marching band director for $2,856. Jones was named as an unpaid marching band assistant.
The board has never stated publicly why Jones was relieved of the three directorships, which caused considerable community backlash. The board did say in July it investigated how a Johnstown High School Wind Ensemble trip Feb. 10 to New York City to play at Carnegie Hall was paid for.
Last week, public speaker Eileen Brink told the board she was concerned the music program needs to move ahead even though the other two directorships haven't been filled yet. She said the district's Music Department has worked hard to put in recommendations for tryouts for the JHS Winter Guard, which are supposed to occur in October.
She said if the district waits too long, the competition season will pass by. She requested the board "move forward" on a recommendation to fill the directorships.
"The kids have paid a very, very dear price for what has happened," Brink said.
Board President Robert Curtis said Friday the district hasn't filled the jazz band and winter guard directorships yet, but hopes to by its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Glebe Street Elementary School.
In other discussion before the board last week, Superintendent Katherine A. Sullivan reported new Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health & Recreation James Robare said the district will implement an athlete mentoring program Oct. 23. She said the program will start at Warren Street Elementary School and involve JHS athletes going there at the end of the school day to mentor younger students.
New Warren Street Elementary School Principal R. Scott Ziomek said he sees many potential advantages to bringing in the 27 student-athletes.
"I think we'll take these athletes and use them as role models for our school," Ziomek said.
The board noted the Audit Committee will review whether the $25 per event fee for a musical accompanist at district events should be raised.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.