Lake Huntington – A request was made before the Sullivan West Central School District’s Board of Education at their meeting on April 19 to reestablish the second full-time art teacher position at the high school, but was ultimately denied as school budget season inches closer.

During public comment, full-time art teacher Jena Love voiced the request. Love is the only current full-time art teacher has teaching in the district for the past six years.

According to Love, the second full-time art position was initially cut to part-time during the 2017-2018 school year after the resignation of the former art teacher, and has remained at this level ever since due to a lack of enrollment in art classes.

However, Love argued that this drought of enrollment in art instruction is coming to an end.

Love told the Board that she has seen an increase in interest in art classes and extracurricular activities from students.

“Every single period of the day there are kids in my classroom. Either scheduled, during their study hall or lunch. Some of these kids were not able to officially take art because it is only offered in accordance with the amount of classes 1.6 teachers [one full time and one part time teacher] can teach,” Love said.

“On paper it is a part-time position, but due to how art classes are scheduled, the teacher holding this position generally has to prepare for six different classes.”

Love stated that she has collected 254 student signatures and has garnered support from parents for the reinstatement of the second full time art teacher position.

According to Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bressler’s presentation during the Budget Work Session held just prior to the regular Board meeting, the school is planning to include additions, improvements and increases to various other positions in its 2022-2023 school year budget.

These positions include an Elementary Library Media Specialist, an additional Middle/High School Science Teacher, an additional Middle/High Special Education Teacher and increasing the Elementary Part-Time Physical Education Teacher to Full Time.

However, according to Bressler, the second art teacher position will remain part time, and will not be increased to full-time for the upcoming school year’s budget.

Bressler stated that the school will continue to work with Love and the other art teachers in hopes to continue building the program.

“Our decision not to expand the part-time position to a full-time position was not made lightly. Creating a budget that provides quality programs for all students and is fiscally responsible is always a difficult task,” Bressler told the Democrat.

“Sullivan West School District truly values our art programs. Ms. Love’s passion for the arts program is what makes it a great place for Sullivan West students to learn and explore. Our art teachers do an excellent job bringing out creativity in all students and we support their efforts in fostering a love for the arts,” Bressler said.

The final budget for the 2022-2023 school year is set to be proposed in May.