1. United States
2. Ark.
3. Letter

Hello Governor, I’d like to propose an idea regarding funding for schools. My child is in the Bentonville Band. It’s is an intense competitive marching band program. Bentonville regularly places first in state competitions. This past weekend they got 4th in the Bands of America regional marching band competition in Texas. Bentonville was the only Arkansas band in attendance. I’d like to see more band programs in Arkansas like Bentonville. These kids have been practicing through July and do the final performance at war memorial in Little Rock in November. I encourage you to go see the states bands. Band kids have less time to get into things, and they build skills and friendships. Parents pay around $1800 in Bentonville to cover costs the school district does not. I propose granting each band program $1800 per student to create competitive band programs in Arkansas. Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma regularly excel, and you can tell by the production it is well funded. If public schools are bad, make them better. You’re in charge. If we have money to fund private schools, we have money to fund band programs first. Anyone can go to public schools. It’s fair. I think this makes Arkansas better and I’d like to see the same options for people around the state as we have in Bentonville.