Meeting/Adoption Date: Thursday, September 12, 2002

Resolution:
 
WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education and the State Department of Education recognize the significance of the schools and communities developing strong arts education programs; and
 
WHEREAS, Mr. Gary Carlyle, Principal of Sylvania High School, recognized a need to bring local education, community, and cultural leaders together to assess the status of arts education in Sylvania, Alabama, and with the assistance of the Alabama Alliance for Arts Education, Ms. Betsy Coley, Executive Director, conducted The Community Audit for Arts Education: Better Schools, Better Skills, Better Communities in Sylvania; and
 
WHEREAS, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network publicly acknowledged Ms. Sharon Logsdon and Mr. Rodney Fike, arts instructors at Sylvania High School, July 12, 2002, in Washington, DC, for their outstanding contributions towards the Community Audit; and
 
WHEREAS, arts education contributes powerful education benefits to all elementary and secondary students including the following: arts education develops students’ creative problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities; arts education teaches sensitivity to beauty, order, and other expressive qualities; arts education gives students a deeper understanding of multicultural values and beliefs; arts education reinforces and brings to life what students learn in other subjects; and arts education provides opportunities for parental, community, and business involvement in the school:
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education supports the teachers and administrators of Sylvania High School as they attempt to strive for educational excellence by ensuring the inclusion of the arts (dance, music, theatre, and visual arts) into their classes and their community; and
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby express its appreciation to Sylvania High School and Alabama Alliance for Arts Education for their efforts to improve arts education in Sylvania, Alabama.