Sad expressions crept across people’s faces in the audience as they called for the final vote, the vote that affected 17 teachers’ fates for next school year.
Peter Gepson, ALHS band teacher, was recently informed he will no longer be teaching here. After three years of his service, the school board decided to make budget cuts, and the district music department is smaller because of these cuts. Cuts affected every school in District 241. Gepson was one of the unfortunate whose job is cut completely.
Many students attended the school board meeting — where the cut decision was made by a 4 to 1 vote — to show their support for the music program.  Ashley Schoonover,  junior, attended this meeting.
“The school board didn’t give us a fair chance to show how much we want to keep our music program the same,” Schoonover said.
Though many people attended the meeting only a few talked. Ray Stephenson, senior, was one of those who stood up and talked about his passion for the music program.
“It’s hard to get used to a new teacher all the time,” Stephenson said.
George Marin (father of two high school students), Todd Schoonover (Ashley Schoonover’s father) and Paul Smith were all who talked for the support of the music program.  Smith asked for an alternate solution, while Marin said Gepson is one of those impact teachers. Schoonover just wanted the board to think it over again and give the community more time.
“Why are they always going after the music?” Todd Schoonover said.
According to District 241 superintendent, Dr. Michael Funk, it seemed the community lacked trust in the board’s decision making.
“We need to give change a chance,” said Funk, who had a power point with two slides on it, both about change.
Chelsey Rynerson, junior, put all her effort into stopping this change.
“We don’t need change,” Rynerson said, “We have changed enough for them.”
Gepson said the decision is bad for the kids.
“Although it’s a bad deal for the students, it will give me the chance to move closer to my family,” Gepson said.
There has been a lot of talk on the decision to bring an elementary teacher to take Gepson’s position. Funk read off her qualifications at the meeting, including graduating from Luther College with a major in music education and having traveled all over the world with music. Some hate mail was sent to the incoming teacher via e-mail.
“Many of the students in band feel that an elementary teacher should not come to the high school because of the lack of experience,” Rynerson said, “But we should make her feel welcome.”
There is a lot of dispute about the cut choices, but Gepson tells his student they will always be remembered.
“The kids were always unique here and they really showed their true colors,” Gepson said. “You were the greatest, and don’t change who you are.”