At the end of Sunday’s matinee showing of “Hadestown,” which could be the last school-funded high school performance hosted by the district, I witnessed a crowded stage of over 50 students, each hold up letters to a teacher telling her what she meant to them.
A teacher who will no longer be with the district starting next year due to budget cuts.
The gesture filled me with emotion, not just the sentiment nor the great loss for our community, but for my own young children who are unlikely to get the privilege of a performing arts program in their education.
I do not envy the incoming superintendent, because – contrary to those who claim online that schools have a spending problem – Blaine has a real uphill battle.
It is not lost on me that mere hours before that likely last performance, the 30-year-old lighting system finally gave out, and our students had to make do with an improvised solution. You see, for the past few years, Birch Bay and Blaine have continued to miss the steep 60 percent threshold required to pass a bond that would help improve and upgrade building facilities.
Knowing there was no funding for next year, that their teacher was part of another round of staffing cuts, the performing arts program went all out. “Hadestown” featured an impressive set, beautiful costumes, a live band, and stunning choreography. But more importantly, a packed house witnessed the talents of our bright students who performed with real, raw feeling and talent. As tears filled the eyes of performers during the closing piece, I couldn’t help but wonder if they also carried a burden we never should have put on them – the knowledge that something they value is going away because the state won’t provide adequate budget, the community won’t muster support, and the district is fine to do without.
As the students bravely thanked their departing teacher, an urge to yell out to the crowd “Fund our schools!” swelled in me, but I did not wish to rob the students of their moment. They earned it, but should not be tasked with fighting alone.
Until we prioritize this issue, there will be more sacrifices and compromises that leave us staring at a crumbling stage. “Hadestown” tells a story of seasons, a cycle between hope and despair – and there is a recent surge in activity that should keep us optimistic. The community at large is starting to show up to town halls, parents are raising awareness online about the proposed merge, and advocates are fighting disinformation with clear messaging about why our district finds itself is in this condition.
Still, there is more to do.
Next year, the Performing Arts Center joins the schools’ libraries, health services, and pre-K, sitting largely vacant with no funding to support it. After that, a program or teacher close to your heart will be cut – unless we demand more for our students today. So please consider adding your voice to local funding pushes, voting for the upcoming bond, and letting state legislators know that our students are the future of this community and we value them.
Congratulations on a moving production of “Hadestown,” Blaine high school. I hope we can show up for you.
