Parents voice support for NKMS, NKHS band directors

Parents of New Kent Middle and High School band students are searching for a reasonable answer from school administrators after word spread in the community that the teaching contracts of band directors at both schools may not be renewed.

Outraged parents addressed the matter at Monday night’s New Kent School Board meeting. At issue, they believe, is the fate of high school band director James Minnix and middle school band director Reba Marrs.

A night of celebration and recognition for teacher of the year winners at all four county schools quickly soured as board members heard concerns from the disgruntled parent delegation.

“The band program has grown over the years,” said Kenny Pace. “I have only seen a lack of support for it. The administration is not supportive.”

“The band teacher was a target by administration,” added Jackie Smith. “The termination of Mr. Minnix felt like a rug pulled from under the parents.”

More parents stepped to the microphone, including Patricia Summer, who said she often works as a substitute teacher in the school system.

“I know teaching is the hardest thing to do,” she said. “But from the little time I had in his classroom, the kids were well behaved, they didn’t mess around, and they knew what they had to do. That showed me signs that the teacher did a good job.”

More testimony included a parent saying how her son’s attitude and grades drastically improved. Another parent praised the program and the job the directors have done.

One middle school student, meanwhile, said the impact made by Marrs and achievements reached can’t compare to where the band program stood when Marrs came on board.

“When we started, we only had 12 people make area band,” said eighth grader Sarah Wimmer. “This year it is 23, the most we’ve ever had.

“I can say Ms. Marrs was a great teacher for me,” she concluded before stepping away from the podium.

Parents asked school board members to reconsider what they viewed as the pending dismissal of the two band directors and give both another opportunity due to success of the band programs.

Some speakers acknowledged that they do not know all of the facts surrounding the situation, but said they believe everyone makes mistakes and if either band director did so, they deserve a second chance.

School board members sat quietly, acknowledging the concerns but withholding comment.

Superintendent of schools Rick Richardson said after the meeting that the issue is a legal and personnel matter that cannot be discussed.

When contacted, county commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory said he is unaware of any wrongdoing in connection with the matter.

A few of the parents addressing the board Monday night inferred that the band directors’ situation stems from last August when arrangements were made with New Kent Winery to have band students raise money by picking grapes.

Contacted on Tuesday, winery owner Pete Johns confirmed the situation. Johns said students stood to raise over $3,000 to go toward new band uniforms.

But 10 days before work was set to begin, he said, he received a call from a band booster member who said Richardson had pulled the plug. It is unclear if the superintendent had been informed in advance about the money-raising activity.

“[The band booster] told me the superintendent said they couldn’t have the kids involved in the making of alcoholic beverages,” Johns said.

At that point, the New Kent Rotary Club stepped in to take over the task. The club then donated money raised to the band boosters, he said.

On Tuesday, Cynthia Pitts, schools’ executive assistant for administration, said that both band directors remain on their respective jobs, but declined to comment further, citing contract renewal as a personnel matter.

Both Minnix and Marrs are in their third year in the New Kent school system and thus have not received tenure. To achieve tenure in Virginia, teachers must successfully complete three years and start a fourth year in the same school system.

Neither Minnix nor Marrs could be reached for comment. No responses were received from messages left on social media and e-mail.

Chronicle editor Alan Chamberlain contributed to this article.