Henry Sibley Choir Director's Position Still in Forefront of District Discussion

The position of the Henry Sibley Choir director wasn’t on the agenda this week at the District 197 school board work session, but it was on the minds of many.

In the latest round of for next year, which included laying off 19 full-time probationary teachers and cutting the hours of several tenured teachers, Aaron Kapaun’s hours were cut to .7 time, but arguably , he was moved into the elementary schools to continue teaching music.

Kapaun is widely credited with building the high school choirs into one of the largest programs at the school. Students and parents have and information sessions to convey that his rapport with students cannot be replaced.

School board member Pat Barnum called the issue “the big elephant in the room.”

“Find a way to solve this without board action,” Barnum said to Superintendent Jay Haugen. “I encourage you publicly to do that.”

Haugen said that he shares the same goal as concerned board members, but he wants to see if a “natural solution” arises, such as a shift caused by a retirement or resignation somewhere else in the district, that wouldn’t negatively impact some other situation later on.

The music program is now fully staffed, but it’s staffed more efficiently, said Haugen.

Total reductions of 1.183 FTE are planned for music staff total across the district.

Those reductions are to be made mostly by providing fewer hours of music instruction, particularly in the elementary level.

To intervene at this point and fund Kapaun as a full-time teacher at the high school, a cost of $25,000, would be to operate less efficiently, said Haugen, though he said operating less efficiently is an option.

“We certainly have it in our window to have it solved by the end of the school year,” said Haugen.

“There’s efficiency and there’s effectiveness,” said board member Mark Spurr, “And the kids recognize this. Don’t tell me putting somebody else is going to be the same even remotely as continuing with Aaron Kapaun.”

The district is finalizing staffing and other cuts for next year to address an estimated $1.4 million minimum shortfall, a situation they have faced repeatedly in past years at least in part due to flat state funding.

“This happens every year,” said Haugen. “We know something better is going to come along, but we also know the political and human side of things. We know we can’t wait all summer for this."