PHS hires new band teacher
PRINCETON — After four months of public concerns from parents and students, the Princeton High School Board of Education has hired a new band teacher.
At Wednesday's meeting, the board voted unanimously to hire Laurie Bonner as a full-time teacher for the coming school year. She will teach both band and English.
Principal Barb Schmidt said Bonner is a graduate of the University of Illinois, with a 3.6 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. She has a bachelor of music education degree with instrumental specialization and is also certified to teach English. Bonner is very excited to be able to combine her two passions of music and English, Schmidt said.
Next year's PHS band program will offer the same opportunities as this past year, Schmidt said. By also having Bonner in the English department, some of the English classes can be lowered in size as well, she said.
After Monday's meeting, Schmidt said about 10 people applied for the band instructor position. Interviews were conducted by herself and PHS music instructor Joy Schertz.
In explaining the selection of Bonner for PHS, Schmidt said Bonner is well-qualified in both music and English, which was her previous major. Bonner was very active in the music department at U of I, having participated in the Marching Illini band, symphonic band, clarinet choir, show choir and concert band, among others groups, Schmidt said.
"She was an excellent music candidate and was also able to teach in our English department," Schmidt said. "I think we hit a home run with her."
For the past four months, a group of parents and students have attended board meetings to express their belief the PHS band instructor should be a full-time position. They also expressed their support of band instructor Jennifer Abernathy, who split her time this past school year between the PHS and the Princeton Elementary School districts. The parents and students wanted the school board to hire Abernathy as a full-time band instructor.
After Monday's meeting, parent Bob Click said the parents and students still believe PHS needs a full-time band instructor. They are disappointed Abernathy was not offered a full-time band instructor position. The statistics presented to the board still show a full-time band instructor is needed at PHS, Click said.
"But we certainly welcome the new teacher and we will treat her with the greatest respect and give her all the support we can," Click said. "We certainly will continue to support the program here at PHS. We truly and honestly believe from our hearts that music and this music program is important to these kids."
