School Music Program Expansion Proposed
More music classes, new instruments and new high school band uniforms are part of a 1996-97 school music program presented to school trustees this week.
Randy Coleman, music coordinator for Santa Ana Unified School District, outlined a number of additions after years of budget cuts.
The changes are possible because of an $8.7-million surplus resulting from lower-than-expected health-care costs for staff, a higher-than-expected allotment from the state and interest on investments, officials said.
Besides adding music classes, Coleman will replace instruments, some of which are 30 years old, and set aside funds to pay for substitute teachers in music classes.
He also asked trustees to consider hiring five full-time elementary school music teachers and to reinstate the recorder program, which used a type of flute to introduce third-graders to music.
The school board will act on those proposals and other budget considerations later.
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