Trabuco Hills High School Music Families Appeal to School Board to Save Teacher’s Job

More than 100 students, alumni & music families rallied for Dr. Howard Stephens at Saddleback Valley Unified School District board meeting

Last night during the Saddleback Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) board meeting more than 100 music students, alumni and families turned out to support the replacement of Trabuco Hills High School’s 22-year music director, Dr. Howard Stephens. Speakers emotionally pleaded with and district school board to reconsider Craig Collins’ – THHS principal – decision to replace Stephens. Additionally a petition with more than 700 signatures was presented to the board.

At this time the only reason made public as to why Collins has decided to replace Stephens, 59, is based on personality differences between the two and their different visions for the music program. Stephens has been offered a non-instrumental teaching position for the next school year.

Under Stephens’ directorship, the music program has earned hundreds of accolades and awards. As recent as the 2012-13 school year, the marching band was named grand champions at the Western Band Association (WBA) annual competition in Fresno, Calif., and its drum line earned gold at the Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) finals.

Throughout the evening the board listened to such comments about Dr. Stephens, as “he changed my life,” “he made me the person I am today,” “we chose this high school because he is the music director.” Additionally the board was asked pointedly to “please overturn this decision” to “consider what the kids want” and “reinstate Dr. Stephens as music director.”

“This decision is unacceptable,” said Natalie Kelly, a sophomore marching band, wind ensemble, orchestra and drum line student.

Jonathan Garcia an alumni and father of a freshman music student stated that he moved back to an area that feeds to THHS solely so his children could study music under Stephens like he did.

Prior to and during the meeting, students held signs protesting the dismissal of their teacher by Craig Collins, THHS principal from his music director position. Many students and alumni wore their letterman jackets showing their pride in the music program despite the 90 degree heat.

Dennis Walsh, president of the board, allowed speakers three minutes each to present their case. Sherry Kelly, a parent of a sophomore music student, reminded the board that Dr. Stephens’ supporters were originally told they would be on the agenda, but when the agenda was posted on May 9 the “Save Dr. Stephens” issue was not included. The portion of the meeting dedicated to this topic was allocated to the non-agenda section and to 30 minutes of three-minute speeches. Twenty-four people wished to speak, but under this direction 10 were able to present.

Speakers included: Jonathan Garcia, alumni, Class of 1999, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Chris Stetzer, alumni, Class of 2012, former drum major; Charles Denton, alumni, Class of 2013, former drum major; Brooke Dalton, alumni, Class of 2013, former color guard captain; Rachel Demararjian, junior, mellophone, French horn, cymbals, trumpet; Peggy Concepcion, parent; Natalie Kelly, sophomore, flute, cymbals; Kyndyl Sancho, sophomore, color guard; Sherry Kelly, parent; Beth Green, parent.