The School Committee voted unanimously Sept. 9 to reduce the annual instrumental music registration fee for fourth- and fifth-grade students at Loker Elementary School from $150 to $90.
The change accompanied a scheduling pilot that reduced weekly instructional time from 75 minutes to 45 minutes. Director of Finance and Operations Kirsten Patterson, or her designee, was authorized to contact affected families and offer either a refund or the option of donating the difference to the music program.
Three residents spoke against the pilot during public comment. Penny Wayne Shapiro, founder of the Wayland School of Music and a former first violinist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, argued that additional ensemble time does not replace individual instruction and warned that reducing instructional time could cause students to fall behind.
The committee also unanimously approved its 2026-27 district goals and improvement plan.
Members adopted a policy governing staff interactions with civil law-enforcement officials and directed that principals’ cell phone numbers be removed from the version made available to the public.
