The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the Ithaca (New York) City School District to support and celebrate all the arts for all the kids. FABG is an affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative.

Latest News

Board of Education Adopts Budget

Posted Wed, 04/29/2009 - 2:11pm

On April 21, the Ithaca City School District Board of Education adopted the budget to present to the voters. The school budget vote is May 19, 2009 from noon to 9:00.

The arts items that made it back into the budget reflect some of the top priorities registered in our website ranking poll....(read more)

Update on Budget Discussions

Posted Sun, 04/12/2009 - 9:32am

Update:

Thanks for the show of support at the April 6 public hearing. The majority of speakers were students who voiced strong support for after school co-curriculars. There were petiitions from DeWitt (over 100), AIDA (426), Booster poll (98 and counting). The poise and passion of all the student speakers was particularly moving. Thank you!

Co-curriculars (after school music and drama) seem likely to be added back. Elementary band/orchestra at grade 3 and 4, too. However, we still have cuts in music and art staff at DeWitt, music or art staff at Ithaca High, drama, music, art staff at LACS, and the District Liaison positions reduction.

We will follow the Board news as they progress towards the final budget to be adopted April 21.

Budget Discussion

Posted Thu, 03/26/2009 - 1:09pm

View the poll results

The Fine Arts Boosters wanted to find out what you think about the arts in our schools. The first poll was regarding the budget cuts. You can read about the initial proposed arts cuts, view the poll, and continue to register your thoughts on the budget and on other issues. We are also interested in collecting your stories about the impact of arts on young people. Do that here.

This web site is our new forum for discussion and connection to resources. We will also continue to post announcements and news....(read more)

Impacts on the arts of proposed ICSD budget cuts

Posted Sun, 03/22/2009 - 10:10am

All schools are affected by cuts, elementary and secondary. Cut are being made to teaching staff administrative, athletics, arts and support staff.

The projected arts impact include the elimination of drama, increased class size, tight scheduling and access to classes due to fewer offerings, drop off in instrumental music participation, access issues due to no late buses, and more.

Elementary Postponing start of instrumental music:

  • Strings would now start in fourth grade instead of third grade.
  • Wind instruments would now start in fifth grade instead of fourth.
  • This means a reduction of .75 FTE staff in elementary Strings/Band

Secondary (Ithaca High, LACS, DeWitt, Boynton)

Staff cuts including:

  • DeWitt general music staff reduction by .20 and art staff by .30
  • LACS music staff reduction .15 (one section equivalent)/art staff .15
  • Ithaca High staff reduction in music or art by .2 (Cuts that are related to loss of students due to New Roots enrollment are not yet known because scheduling is ongoing and New Roots enrollment is not finalized.)

Elimination of co-curricular activities including:...(read more)

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