By JIMMY LAWTON

POTSDAM – A decision to reduce a full-time music position to half-time has drawn an outcry from several Potsdam residents.

Several letters to the editor of North Country This Week say Potsdam music’s department should not be targeted for cuts, after a motion to restore a music position to full-time failed April 9 in a 4-4 school board vote.

Just weeks before, the position was to be eliminated entirely, but an increase in state aid allowed the board to restore several positions that were cut in earlier proposals.

“The original cut of a full-time teacher in music was by attrition due to the retirement of Band Director Theresa Witmer. With the additional state funding, the administration proposed a reduction by half bringing our staffing level in the Music department to 5.5 teachers,” said Superintendent Patrick Brady in an e-mail.

Although the position was restored to half-time, several residents felt that wasn’t enough.

“If the budget stays as is and the full-time music position is not reinstated, students will suffer,” said Noah Chichester, a junior at Potsdam High School, in his letter to the editor.

“This is not a matter of weighing the merits of any activity against another. This is a matter of what Potsdam should be as a school, and what is best for the students who attend this school. We are a musical community.”

Laura Gilbert, an alumna of the high school who lives in the district, said the music program is already too lean.

“The PCS music department has experienced too many cuts in the last few years. Being in education myself, I understand the very difficult position the board members at Potsdam have been put in through unfair funding, rising costs, and many other issues,” she said in a letter to the editor. “I understand that something has to give. But I do not believe that the music department deserves to continually cut.”

Another submission came from Will K. Romey, who also attended Potsdam schools.

“This loss of opportunities for current students is troubling. By cutting these programs, the school board is denying current students the opportunities that led to where I am today,” he said. “High school music isn't an extracurricular activity, but rather an important learning opportunity that builds the foundation for careers in entertainment and the arts.”

While the decision to restore the music position to half-time was unanimous, an attempt to restore it to full time failed.

Board members Mark Frascatore, Wade Davis, Tom Hobbs, and Fred Stone voted to restore the position, while Chris Cowen, Pat Turbett, Danielle Gray, and Ralph Fuller.

Jim Hubbard was absent from the meetings.

The board is not expected to officially adopt the budget until April 22.