08/11/2022
Statement from Nevada Band Boosters Board of Directors:
Nevada Band Boosters is a 501©3 corporation organized to support the band programs of the Nevada R-5 School District. While the corporation is tasked with supporting the band, the board is also required to provide fiduciary responsibility which is responsible management of the corporate funds.
The decision to withdraw funds from the Bands of America competition was not a decision that was made lightly or quickly. Prior to the meeting the R-5 administration was contacted and asked some questions about this trip. The administration stated that they would fully support any decision of the Band Boosters. This information, along with other parent concerns, were the topic of discussion during the membership meeting on August 9, 2022.
Senior Night was a major factor in the decision but it was not the only factor considered. Safety was a major concern for many parents, as well as the rising costs of fuel and food. Administration informed us that the students would not be missing school on Thursday for the trip. Concerns were raised about getting back late and then competing at Maple Leaf Festival the next day. Additionally, there is no person that has volunteered to chair the Meals Committee, and when asked at the meeting, no one volunteered for meals in St. Louis. The trip was planned for Thursday and Friday stating it would give the students an opportunity to experience marching bands on a larger platform. Yet, Bands of America competition is Friday and Saturday, with most of the larger bands performing on Saturday including finals.
When Band Boosters voted to approve funding for the event, the budget line item was for meals, gas for the semi, motel for the students only, a conference room to feed and hang out in, and a room for the semi driver. No other expenses for chaperone or bus driver motels or tickets to the event were budgeted.
Because of rising costs and fiduciary responsibility, Band Boosters chose to review the budget and felt that there were additional expenses that were not figured in the budget line item. Combined with the knowledge that the students would miss senior night and not be sightseeing in St. Louis on Thursday, the board felt it pertinent to ask membership if spending $7,000 for a band performance in St. Louis was justified. At the time of the meeting, Band Boosters was under the impression from earlier conversations that the band was performing first thing in the morning on Friday. Is it responsible to spend $7,000 to drive to St. Louis after school on Thursday, stay in a motel, perform Friday, and drive home late, missing Senior Night? As a reminder, the school district was not financially supporting this trip. All expenses fell to Band Boosters.
To further clarify Senior Night, there are some groups that did request to move their senior night to other Friday night football games. Band did not request to move their senior night so it is still scheduled to be held on Friday, October 14. Going to Bands of America would forfeit their senior night and their tradition of leaving their shoes on the field.
This decision was not made by the Board President. The decision was made by a vote of all members present at the meeting, with one abstention. The motion to withdraw funds was not made by a board member; it was made by a parent member. Nevada Band Boosters stands by the decision that was made by its members at the meeting.
Nevada Band Boosters exists for the students and the band program. The fiscal year is June to May. The budgeted expenses are for the whole year, including the upcoming 6 marching competitions. The budget also supports the middle school band, flags for competitions, color guard and drum major uniforms, band staff, scholarships, and other related band needs. There are many events planned and budgeted in the annual budget; Bands of America is only one event.
Our goal is to plan a fun year for band students, work hard to raise money, and be financially responsible with the funds that are raised. We invite you to join us. We welcome more parents and their feedback. Nevada Band Boosters meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. Please come to the meetings and respectfully participate in discussions and voting.
