Would You Love a Creature

It has recently been announced that Boone is going to gut their music and arts programs. I don’t know there is necessarily anything that can be done about it other than point out how tragic it is. I’m obviously not a parent of a middle schooler, but I came into possession of a letter that the Middle School Band Director urging parents to go to the School Board Meeting on Monday night and stand up for the quality of education that Boone School District is giving its students. I thought I would share the letter.

Dear Band Families,
I am writing to you today with heavy hearts to share some difficult news regarding proposed changes to the Boone Community School District music department for the upcoming school year.
While our current middle school and high school band teaching positions are not slated for elimination, the district is facing a significant budget shortfall. As a result, several deep cuts have been proposed that will fundamentally change the landscape of the arts in our schools.

The Proposed Changes
Pending School Board approval this Monday, we are facing:
● The elimination of the Orchestra program: A program with over 100 years of history in Boone that currently serves students in grades 5–12.
● The loss of the Middle School Choir position: This will require remaining music staff to rotate into choir roles to maintain basic services.
● Wider District Impacts: Reductions in PE/Health, Art, and Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS).

Why This Matters to Band Families
You may wonder how this affects your student. The reality is that music education is an ecosystem. We share students, resources, and a mission.

1. Staff Capacity & Burnout: Remaining staff will take on significantly higher instructional and administrative loads. We are concerned about how to maintain a
   high-quality program with record student participation numbers and fewer staff members.
2. Loss of Opportunities: With staff stretched thin to cover vacancies, extracurricular staples—such as swing choir, solo/ensemble coaching, honor choirs, and the school musical—are at risk.
3. Student Well-being: For many students, the music room is their “safe place.” Losing a beloved teacher or an entire discipline like orchestra is a loss of a vital support system.

Understanding the “Why”

It is important to understand that these cuts are not the result of local financial mismanagement. Rather, they are a direct consequence of three factors outside of our district’s control:

1. State Funding (SSA): The State Legislature has consistently failed to provide supplemental student aid that keeps pace with the inflated prices we are all paying.
2. Enrollment Trends: Because Iowa’s funding formula is “per-pupil,” any decline in enrollment significantly reduces the district’s budget. Our overall district student enrollment is down and continues to trend that way.
3. State Mandates (Chapter 12): Our administrators are being forced to make impossible choices to meet state requirements with fewer resources.
   

Our local leaders are the messengers of news created at the state level. They are doing what they must based on the rules the legislature has provided, and we appreciate their efforts to find creative solutions, such as exploring regional partnerships for our students, even when the path forward is difficult.

How You Can Help

We believe in the power of the Boone community to advocate for our children. If you want to ensure that future cuts do not further erode the arts, here is how you can take action:

● Attend the School Board Meeting:
○ Monday, January 12th, at 6:30 PM in the High School Board Room.
● Speak at the Public Forum:
○ The Board needs to hear from parents and students. To speak, you must email Paulette Newbold at pnewbold@boone.k12.ia.us to be placed on the agenda. (Note: They appreciate knowing in advance to ensure the room is large enough for everyone).
● Contact Your Legislators:
○ The most effective way to prevent future cuts is to tell our state representatives how these decisions impact Boone students.
■ Chad Behn: chad.behn@legis.iowa.gov
■ Jesse Green: jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov

Questions We Are Asking

As educators, we are asking the district for clarity on several points, and we encourage you to ask them as well:
● What is the minimum staffing required to maintain safety and instruction in these large classes?
● How will the district prevent burnout among the remaining staff?
● If student outcomes decline due to these limitations, how will the decision be reassessed?

We love teaching your children. Our goal remains to provide the best possible musical experience, but we cannot ignore the reality that these cuts make that mission much harder.

Thank you for your continued support of the Boone Music Department. We truly cannot do this without you.

Sincerely,
Rose Kundel

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Time to reveal the July image for the 2026 Photography 139 Calendar.

JULY -2026

• TECHNICAL DETAILS
  • CAMERA: Sony 7RMV
  • LENS: Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM
  • FOCAL LENGTH: 35mm
  • APERTURE: f/5
  • SHUTTER SPEED: 1/250
  • ISO: 125
  • DATE TAKEN: April 22, 2025

The subject of the July image is the George Washington statue behind Independence Hall. I wanted at least one picture from my trip to Philadelphia to make the calendar. I definitely have some consideration to a prison picture, but the end this picture fit perfect with July as we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of what is left of this country.

Tomorrow I will reveal the August image.

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… Long-legged guitar picking, hypnotized, alcoholized
Storytelling heartbroken man
Living in the ruins of a dream and broken dreams never feel the rain
Running river of desperation in my heart, no consolation

… Memories and believes means nothing more to me
Than a ball and a chain inside of my brain
Holding me back from living a life
I just can’t stretch my wings to fly

… I am what I am, nothing more than a man
Nothing heavenly within my command
With everything to lose, I reach out to you
Would you love a creature like me?

… I thought I’d trapped the wind in my pocket
But then she flew away
I thought that I had an eagle’s eye, but now it starts to fade
Would you kiss a monster’s cheek?
Would you hold a monster’s hand?
Would you look into my eyes
And say that you understand?

… I am what I am, nothing more than a man
Nothing heavenly within my command
With everything to lose, I reach out to you
Would you love a creature like me?

… I am what I am, nothing more than a man
Nothing heavenly within my command
With everything to lose, I reach out to you

… I am what I am, nothing more than a man
Nothing heavenly within my command
With everything to lose, I reach out to you
Would you love a creature like me?
Would you love a creature like me?

Songwriter: Gustav Hedlund

A great song of PEACEMAKER soundtrack. One of the funniest shows ever and introduced me to many a great song that I didn’t know existed. Many of them even safe for work. Including this song by Sister from their album “Hated”.

But Thursdays are for flowers! This is the final collection of images from the State Center Rose Garden:

Next Thursday’s flowertography session will take place in my yard mostly.