During Tuesday’s school board meeting, a handful of residents who live close to La Cumbre Junior High School voiced frustration with “incessant” drum beats coming from regular band practices on campus. They claimed the disturbance has been especially bad this year — students are currently prepping for this weekend’s holiday parade on Milpas Street — because the elective class occurs throughout the school day rather than in the early morning as in years past. They requested that the class not be offered next semester. A few parents and students disagreed, explaining that musical instruction is an integral part of academic success. Principal Jo Ann Caines added that students are forced to practice outside because the band room is too small to accommodate all 100 students, and the auditorium is under construction until August. After the parade, Caines said she plans to restrict some of the drumming that goes on outside.
