• The Olympia School District in Washington state is planning to cut music classes it feels promote “white supremacy culture” and “significant institutional violence.”
• The district, which is facing an $11.5 million budget shortfall, in an effort to save approximately $537,000, and fight racism, voted last week to eliminate band and strings for fourth-graders.
• During the meeting where the cuts were decided, School Board Director Scott Clifthorne conceded that research has proven music classes are “healthy for young minds,” but that they are disproportionately rolled out across the district’s elementary schools and as a result, students at some campuses are required to miss “core instruction” in order to attend the music classes, while other schools offer longer instrumental class time.

Tagged: Schools