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- calendar_today October 21, 2026
Students and Parents Voice Concerns Over Band Funding
Students and parents from the Muscogee County School District are petitioning for increased support of school band programs, spotlighting serious concerns about aging and deteriorating musical instruments. During a recent Board of Education meeting, members of the Jordan Vocational High School band presented broken equipment to board members and recounted challenges faced during practices and performances.
Damaged Instruments Disrupt Student Musicians
Cases described at the meeting included instruments held together with "tape, zip ties," and makeshift repairs. Jennifer Le Denney, a parent of a band student, emphasized that the problem extends beyond Jordan Vocational High School, affecting student musicians throughout the district. She recalled an incident in which a baritone, already mended with tape, collapsed in the middle of a performance at a football game. Le Denney revealed that some families have been forced to spend thousands of dollars on musical instruments due to the unreliable state of school-provided equipment.
Her son, Kalel Le Denney, a sophomore at Jordan Vocational High School, told board members that the condition of the instruments restricts opportunities for learning and improvement. "We only have one school-owned sousaphone available, and it’s being held together with solder, tape and zip ties," he explained.
Students Appeal to Broader School District
Bryce Simmons, another student, shared that his parents purchased a sousaphone for him after repeated failures of the school's instrument during performances. "I shouldn’t have had to ask them to spend thousands of dollars just so I can be able to continue doing something I love," Simmons said.
Stefon Bradley, a junior at Jordan, expressed hope that the school district will provide greater resources not just to Jordan but to other schools in Muscogee County as well, citing schools like Shaw, Kendrick, and Carver as also in need of support for their band programs.
District Addresses Instrument Maintenance and Funding
Superintendent Dr. David Lewis acknowledged that some instruments are in disrepair but stated that the district allocates funding for musical instrument maintenance and replacement. He described an annual purchasing rotation for larger instruments—such as sousaphones and percussion equipment—and noted the district’s procedure for sending damaged items to a music store for repairs. "As far as I know… we have someone who comes from the music store and picks up instruments for repair, has them repaired, and then delivers those back to the school on a regular basis," Lewis said. He recognized, however, that replacing all damaged equipment would take time.
Breakdown of Current School District Funding
In an official statement, the Muscogee County School District emphasized its commitment to music education and outlined its recent financial initiatives: $415,000 in Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) funding has been dedicated for the yearly purchase of larger musical instruments such as xylophones, timpani, and sousaphones. The district has also allocated $440,000 from the general fund since 2023 for instrument maintenance and repairs, band equipment, supplies, and uniforms. Following a recent meeting with Mrs. Le Denney, Jordan Principal Ryan Hutson earmarked an additional $16,000 for instruments, supplies, and repairs at Jordan Vocational High School.
Looking Ahead: Procedures and Continued Evaluation
Superintendent Lewis committed to investigating student and parent concerns and ensuring that band directors are familiar with procedures for requesting repairs and replacements. Board members requested a comprehensive review of the district’s instrument inventory and criteria for retiring damaged equipment.
For students like Kalel Le Denney, the need for reliable instruments and adequate band funding is about more than music—it's about personal growth and opportunity. "For me, band wasn’t just an activity… It helped me find myself. Please don’t let broken instruments and lack of funding take that away from another student," Le Denney said.
Source: wrbl.com.
