The Righetti High School band program has been spared, at least for now, though the teacher who leads it will have her hours reduced.

Weeks ago, band director Cindy Dirlam received a preliminary layoff notice from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District. However, as the deadline approaches for final layoff notices, her job was reduced to part-time status rather than being eliminated.

The band program was one of the many programs and services facing potential cuts as the district struggles to overcome a projected $2 million shortfall for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The shortfall is a result of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to reduce $4.8 billion from education funding to help make up for an

$18 billion state budget shortfall.

The governor is scheduled to announce his revised budget proposal today.

Dirlam, who will likely teach three class sections instead of her current four, said she is happy she gets to keep her job, though the situation is far from ideal.

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“I will be a part-time employee if they don't find me another section to teach, which will be bad for me because my salary will be cut a lot and my job doesn't change, because it's still a full-time position.”

District officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

In March, Dirlam - along with approximately 20,000 other California teachers - received a preliminary layoff notice.

The state-imposed deadline for school districts to distribute final layoff notices is Thursday, though some local districts gave their teachers final notices ahead of schedule.

Two years ago, Dirlam stepped up to become Righetti's band director when the former director left.

“That's how I got the job in the first place, trying not to have the band program die,” she said.

Dirlam is known to work until well into the night for the band, and one week every summer she donates her time to oversee the school's annual band camp.

“Ms. Dirlam puts everything she has into the band,” Drum Major Mathew Brim said.

Dirlam - a longtime music teacher at Patterson Road Elementary School, where she still works in the afternoons - taught many of her current band members music when they were small children.

“For me, it's the connection to people here in Orcutt, and the kids I have taught music to since they were kindergartners. And my community is important to me. That is a big reason why I stay put,” she said.

Recently, the band gathered to rehearse for an upcoming exhibition.

During the rehearsal, Dirlam led the group through selections from the hit musical “Wicked,” among other pieces.

After the rehearsal, Brim and drum line leader T.J. Breshears spoke of the importance of band, which they said is an integral part of life at Righetti.

“We're like family,” said Breshears, a senior.

Band, Brim added, helps its members develop important life skills and makes them more well-rounded.

“It gives people a reason to come to school besides academics,” the senior said. “It provides (members) with opportunities to learn something besides the three or four main subjects ... It's disturbing to think that a program that helps students be more well-rounded could be gone.”

Natalie Ragus can be reached at 347-4580 or nragus@santamariatimes.com.

May 14, 2008