Elyse Leskovic, a 2018 Mars High School graduate, reads a poem with support from her peers to the Mars School Board on Tuesday. Nearly two dozen students, alumni and parents attended the school board meeting to voice support for the music program.

ADAMS TWP — Supporters of Mars' music program came out in force Tuesday to contest the possible cut of a music teaching position at the middle school.

Nearly two dozen students, alumni and parents spoke passionately during public comment at Tuesday's school board meeting about how the Mars music program impacted them and the benefit of music in general to young people.

“Since I've been in the music program, my confidence has skyrocketed,” said Libby Roda, a rising sophomore. “Being in band and making the friends that I have has helped me accept the weird little quirks that I have and made me realize that they're not so weird. I have two little sisters … and I would love for them to have had the same experience I have had in the music program.”

The district's proposed 2018-19 budget includes the elimination of a music teacher position at the middle school. Dayle Ferguson, school board president, said the position would only affect instrumental music lessons at the middle school and general band classes would not be impacted.

“All of the wonderful programs you've talked about, none of that is going to change at all,” she said.

Ferguson also said school board members were working hard on the music position and would give more details when they are ready to adopt the budget, which will happen later this month. A special meeting will be held to vote on the budget, possibly as soon as next week. The board has until June 30 to pass a final budget.

“I can't make any promises … but we are working hard,” she said.

In May the board approved advertising a $48.36 million proposed 2018-19 budget that includes a 2.4 mill increase to bridge a $1.5 million deficit.

On Tuesday, people spoke about academic, emotional and developmental benefits of learning music and being involved with the school's music and performing arts programs, sharing personal stories and citing research.

Susan Mattis, a parent and one-time music student, brought up the need to keep up with neighboring school districts like Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley and Hampton Township and their music faculty staffing.

“I think to take instruction away from the kids is short-sighted not just for the school but the community,” she said. “Music makes musicians …. But it really makes better students and better people. It makes them college and life ready.”

Kathryn Olsen, a 2017 Mars High School graduate and music education major at Penn State University, said cutting lessons at the middle school level will take away from students' ability to master their instruments after learning the basics at the Centennial School.

“And if those lessons are cut, then unfortunately a big chunk of that process is being taken out,” she said. “You're expecting to have the same outcome but not giving them the attention that they need.”