ADAMS TWP — An overflow crowd continued to speak out Tuesday about the state of the Mars School District's music programs.

The comments came just hours after many parents and students learned the high school's marching band director would not be returning next year.

Last week, several residents and students voiced opposition to the district opting to not replace the retiring Mike Holupka, instead giving his responsibilities to other teachers in the music department.

Many said the decision would lead to the cutting of supplemental activities and the degradation of the music program. Administrators said that no programs would be cut and concerns have not been raised by the remaining music teachers.

On Tuesday, Superintendent Wesley Shipley reiterated that programs would not be cut. He said Holupka's classes would be integrated into the remaining teachers' schedules.

Holupka taught one period class and lessons, and had other school duties throughout the day. Shipley said conversations with the music department have been ongoing about making sure there are no lapses in coverage.

Shipley also announced that Mark Rodgers opted to no longer serve as director of the marching band, but will take on additional responsibilities with concert and jazz bands at the middle school level.

The board later passed a number of personnel matters, including the hiring of Dave Soose as band director. He previously served as percussion director for the band. Aaron Wagner was hired as an assistant, and Shipley said an additional assistant will be hired once Soose can provide feedback and recommendations.

Dayle Ferguson, board president, said Soose is a Mars graduate who has worked with the band for a number of years as a supplemental employee. He is not otherwise employed by the district.

Ferguson said both the board and administration care about music programming, having made a number of investments in recent years for new uniforms and other purchases.

“To suggest that we don't appreciate and respect music students or music teachers, that wouldn't be true,” she said.

Still, the news of Rodgers' decision did not sit well with the more than a dozen residents speaking Tuesday.

Ruth O'Donnell, president of the Mars Band Boosters, said adding to existing teachers' workloads will have a negative impact on their willingness and ability to take on supplemental jobs. She pointed out that Rodgers contributed 199 volunteer hours last school year.

“Covering is not good enough,” she said. “We need to do better. All of you need to do better.”

Several students, including Alex Smith, Mia Ola and Mia Giglietti, shared that they found band to be the place where they fit in and where they felt accepted. They said it gave them a chance to discover who they were as people, and they were heartbroken at the potential state the band could find itself in the future.

That sentiment was echoed by resident Shawn Scott, who said students making connections with teachers can directly lead to their success. He said he feared individual lessons provided that chance, and it would be a shame to see them eliminated.

“If you cut connections, you lose kids,” he said. “They don't learn and they don't want to be here.”

Ferguson said the board is willing to consider any offering to be added to the music program. However, she said, it would need to meet curriculum standards and have students' interest. She said the board has not been presented with new or alternative programming.