Some Facts Regarding ESM's Budget Issue

We are very grateful for the huge support we have received with this issue. The PART is dedicated to helping ESM get through this budget issue and thank everyone for their dedication to support the arts. That being said, we hope to clarify some of what we know regarding the budget, including what we can realistically expect and what is not true. 

• The current status of the economy mixed with a lack of state funding means that budget cuts are inevitable. Everyone involved respects and understands this. 
• ESM is hoping to be able to choose where the cuts to the theatre program are made. We want to see the "roots" of the program (theatre and stagecraft classes) left intact and add back to the program when funding becomes available. 
• In order to save the classes, we suggest that the main stage productions be cut instead of classes. The PART will try to support this endeavor whenever possible. 

The budget of ESM has not yet been approved or ratified by the board. Additionally, more details of the actual budget will not be made available until tonight. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support and ask that everyone approaches tonight's board meeting with an open mind and with due regard and respect to ESM, the board of education and the theatre program as a whole. Anyone going to voice their opinion is representing all of us and we wish to communicate respectively and with factual details to support our concerns. 

As a reminder, the board meeting will be held TONIGHT (Wednesday, March 16th) at 7:30PM at ESM High School (543 Moriches Middle-Island Road, Manorville NY) in the HS cafeteria.