UPDATED: High School Music Opening Strikes a Chord

The part-time  opening at the high school has generated lots of applicants, but no one has been hired yet, said Principal Layne Millington.

The school has two fine applicants, the principal stated in an email this morning, "but given the vacation season, it's hard to track down references and complete full background checks in a timely manner."

He said he will be able to complete the background checks on Tuesday morning and, hopefully, "have a new music/band teacher in the afternoon."

“We've been very focused on finding the best candidate for with an emphasis on conducting and marching experience,” Millington said on Thursday.  “Further, we're being very picky about finding someone who will grow the program over time.”

The music post is a .4 position.

About 30 people applied for it, Superintendent Lynne Celli said earlier this month at the.

The part-time post was offered to former Stanley School music teacher at the end of the school year but over the summer he declined to accept it, the superintendent said.

Former high school music teacher Edward Jack was transferred to Stanley Elementary School where, along with some Middle School music teaching, he will fulfill fulltime music teaching duties, the superintendent said earlier.

Information won’t be available until Tuesday on whether the high school will have a marching band in place on the very first day when school opens, Aug. 30, but the school music program will include a marching band, the principal said.