Speaking of schools, I am wrapping up two years as Chair of the Music Makes Us Advisory Council and pass it over to Brian Sexton, who has served as Vice Chair for the last two years. Brian is a fantastic community leader and will be a fantastic leader of this initiative. This is an area I’m passionate about and like many of you I’m sure, my experience in band and music programs in school was the most formative and impactful growing up. I want to help ensure kids have the same, if not greater, opportunities that I had.
The last two years have been difficult as we all know. The impact to schools, reflected in the $22.6 million less we received from the State due to reduced enrollment, is something that is occurring all over and has also impacted music and arts programming. Reduced enrollment means principals must make hard decisions on staffing and funding internally for each school.
This has impacted McGavock High School’s program this year, as well as Oliver Middle School, which is going through a frustrating experience of high turnover and leadership issues that has also impacted their highly regarded middle school program. One effort is that we are working on recruitment efforts at feeder schools to help rebuild their programs.
Jeff has called Nashville home since 1998, moving here to complete his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his MBA in Technology Management from the Nashville campus of University of Phoenix, located in Donelson. Jeff was a first-time homebuyer in Donelson Hills in 2002 and soon became involved in his neighborhood and community.Jeff was born in Buffalo, New York. Jeff’s Dad retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia after serving 20 years of Active and more than 11 years of Reserve service in Buffalo, NY, St Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. Jeff’s parents are happily retired in Marietta, GA and enjoy the warmer weather. His dad was President of the Georgia Department of the Reserve Officer’s Association and both he and his Mom stay involved in their neighborhood, civic organizations, and church. Jeff has one son, Joey, who attends Meigs Middle Magnet School.Jeff has been very active in the Donelson community for over a decade and has a deep appreciation and understanding of its rich history and a strong vision for a bright future.
Jeff has called Nashville home since 1998, moving here to complete his music degree at Middle Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his MBA in Technology Management from the Nashville campus of University of Phoenix, located in Donelson. Jeff was a first-time homebuyer in Donelson Hills in 2002 and soon became involved in his neighborhood and community.Jeff was born in Buffalo, New York. Jeff’s Dad retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel while stationed at Fort McPherson, Georgia after serving 20 years of Active and more than 11 years of Reserve service in Buffalo, NY, St Louis, MO and Atlanta, GA. Jeff’s parents are happily retired in Marietta, GA and enjoy the warmer weather. His dad was President of the Georgia Department of the Reserve Officer’s Association and both he and his Mom stay involved in their neighborhood, civic organizations, and church. Jeff has one son, Joey, who attends Meigs Middle Magnet School.Jeff has been very active in the Donelson community for over a decade and has a deep appreciation and understanding of its rich history and a strong vision for a bright future.
