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NEW MILFORD – The school district is looking to improve its orchestra program by purchasing new equipment and replacing instruments and uniforms.
These requests are part of the band’s five-year capital plan in the Superintendent’s 2022-2023 Budget Proposal. The plan lists these three items at a cost of $ 5,000 each, which over the next five years would rise to $ 75,000.
Regarding instrument replacement, New Milford Schools Superintendent Alisha DiCorpo said there was already a budget item of $ 24,000 per year in the group’s operating budget.
“These funds cover our main cycle of refresh for instrument purposes on a multi-year cycle, but remain within the operating budget as they are essential to the continued operation of the program,” said DiCorpo.
However, David Syzdek, Instrumental Music Director of New Milford High School, is asking $ 5,000 per year for the next five years for individual instrument replacement, in addition to the $ 24,000 annually. This gives the district an extra cushion for shopping, DiCorpo said.
DiCorpo said there have been times, in recent years during times of budget cuts, when Syzdek has not been able to replace items such as desks and field equipment “that have become outdated. their lifespan at this point, ”said DiCorpo.
Each uniform, meanwhile, costs around $ 500 but increases with inflation, she said.
This is why, she said, the district would like to start adding uniforms every year to replace worn out ones.
She said she would like to make sure the district meets the needs of the group “so that we don’t end up in a situation where things snowball and the council exerts a large amount of capital funding in order to replace large quantities of uniforms.
The district recommends starting a new cycle in the group so that the cost of instruments, uniforms and equipment are all in one place and “is up front on what it takes to really manage the type of program. group we have and the instrumental lessons we allow ourselves. children to have the opportunity to attend as part of the courses, ”said DiCorpo.
All elements of the band’s capital will be discussed in more detail during the January Board of Education hearings before the full Board of Education. All items and amounts shown on the capital plan are subject to change. The board can consider new capital projects at any time.
[email protected] 203-948-9802
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