By JESSA PEASE / Staff Reporter 

PELHAM— Band and choir programs will continue for fifth grade students at Valley Intermediate School in the 2015-2016 school year, according a recommendation read by Superintendent Dr. Scott Coefield at a July 27 Board of Education meeting.

The fourth grade students at Valley Intermediate, however, will not be able to participate in the band and or the Valley Voices choir programs.

“The recommendation from this committee is moving forward, as we go from two (kindergarten) through five schools and a middle school, that the band program begin in the middle school years,” Coefield said. “We will be getting this out to the parents in the next couple days.”

A group of music and band teachers, along with administration, provided Coefield with several recommendations concerning the music program in Pelham. He said the board will not be approving these decisions because there are many items that will need to be evaluated further, such as the purchasing instruments and extending music time.

“My concern continues to be growing our programs, our music and choral programs, and we need to see some growth in the middle school and high school area,” Coefield said. “Right now there will be no personnel changes next year, but we will continue to evaluate to see how we grow those programs.”

Some Pelham parents first expressed concern with the music programs when they received word near the end of the school year last year that the school system may phase out the VIS music programs. Those concerns were brought to the board of education at its June 2 meeting when Coefield first said he formed the music committee.

“I want you to know that your board is going to work as hard as possible to be an agent to bring us together,” said Pelham Board of Education President Rick Rhoades. “That is very important to do and we realize that. That really is our charge more than anything else. I want to appreciate everyone being here this evening. It’s been a good night for the education of our children in Pelham.”

The Pelham Board of Education also,

• Approved 25 personnel recommendations given by Superintendent Dr. Coefield.
• Awarded a custodial contract for Riverchase Middle School to ServiceMaster.
• Approved the policy manual and code of conducts.
• Approved a contract with Developing Alabama Youth Foundation or the DAY Program.
• Approved an amended contract with Appleton Learning to add two afterschool lead teachers and counselors. Pelham is taking over its own afterschool program.
• Approve a contract with St. Vincent’s Hospital to provide nursing services.

The board will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 11. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.