New Haven Independent

Posted by: Hugh | July 1, 2009 3:08 PM

This is a sad story, but I don't see why it's about Yale. It's a public program that temporarily received support from Yale, and one whose supervisor found out almost six months ago that that support won't be continued.

Shouldn't the lede be "City pulls plug on community music program?" Where's the civic leadership on this one?

Posted by: Tim Holahan | July 1, 2009 3:18 PM

This is pretty frustrating. Yale's music school doesn't charge its students tuition thanks to one of the largest gifts in history to such an institution.

The university's overall endowment is in the neighborhood of $20 billion, having increased by many multiples in recent decades thanks to massive fund-raising and smart investment.

Even in this economic climate, the inability to find $35,000 to fund such a program is really disappointing.

The city of New Haven has to take a closer look at its financial relationship with Yale.

Posted by: True New Havener | July 1, 2009 3:22 PM

$35,000???? to serve 125 aspiring musicians?

That's chicken scratch and people should belly up right now!!

Now is the time for Bruce Alexander or Rick Levin to step in and pay this bill. Hopefully this just fell through the cracks.

Posted by: Yikes what? | July 1, 2009 3:34 PM

This is pathetic. Let's count the ways:

1. Regina Warner -- what were you thinking? And you could not find 35 k in 9 months?? Did you actually call anyone to raise money? Really??!!!

2. Yale Associate Dean of Music Michael Yaffe -- you could not find $15,000 to help 125 kids go to music school? Let's see, you couldn't have raised that amount of money in an afternoon of phone calls to a few alumni? Being in the ivory tower gotten your head too far in the clouds to care about little poor kids? Really??!!!

3. How much did Yale pay for Joe Lieberman's campaign stop at it's spiffy new community center in police alone? Why have a community center if it is going to be used for Joe to tell poor people why they should not have a "public health care option" when a small fraction of the millions paid for that taj majal of "Community Service" could have sent all these kids to music camp for life.

[EDITOR's NOTE: Lieberman's stop was not at the Yale community center on Ashmun. It was several blocks down at the Monterey Community Center.]

4. Adults with jobs who are actually paid a lot -- and let's be clear both Yaffe and Warner make well over $100,000 a year -- but don't actually do big parts of their job, namely run a summer music academy and engage in legitimate community outreach for the Yale Music School.

5. Youth violence in New Haven -- still on the rise.

6. Adults still wringing their hands and wondering why.

Yes REALLY!!!!

Posted by: anon | July 1, 2009 4:12 PM

It has been reported that there are 150 administrators in NHPS each making over $100K per year.

Cutting each salary by $1K could raise enough money to fund several of these camps.

Where are the city's priorities?

Posted by: Seriously? | July 1, 2009 4:29 PM

Fascinating comparing this story to the earlier one about the Amistad student studying architecture this summer. A group of volunteers was able to raise almost $10K for one student to participate in a worthwhile summer program while paid full-time staff at the BOE can't raise $35K to allow 125 students to participate in a worthwhile summer program. Pathetic. And the other commenters are right -- this isn't about Yale, it's about the BOE.

Posted by: Yikes What? | July 1, 2009 5:12 PM

Mr. Editor: Thanks for the correction. I unfairly blamed Yale for making its "community center" available to Joe Lieberman. Truly, this was unfair as while they did eviscerate funding for this program they did not make their community center available to a Senator. I stand corrected.

So please accept this as a replacement for #3 in my march of horribles:

3a. Joe Lieberman received hundreds of thousands in support for his campaigns from health care/insurance lobbyists and wealthy employees of insurance companies -- why can't he raise a few bucks for some New Haven school children now that he's decided to once again visit Dixwell? Can we get a few bucks for kids to play music Joe?

3b. What's the New Haven Foundation doing to help these children? Could they have one of their out-of-town experts being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to tell us how we lack youth programming cut a small check before another youth program closes?

3c. What is Regina Warner's job? Does it include not waiting 9 months to raise a relatively small sum of money? Is she unbeknownst to us all a wizard? Has money historically magically appeared when she has ignored important things in the past? If so, she should run for Mayor.

3d. According to Yale, here's what Dean Yaffe is being paid a lot to do (http://musicians.yale.edu/musicinschools/Michael_Yaffe1):

"Michael Yaffe is Associate Dean of the Yale School of Music, responsible for shaping the programs and activities of the Music in Schools Initiative. He has been at Yale since 2006, and has been a leader in the field of community arts education for over 20 years."

So if Dean Yaffe can't actually find $15,000 for music in the schools, then what exactly would be the reason for him to keep his job? Yale raised a lot of money to pay Yaffe to put music programs in schools but then does not have money to actually pay for music programs in schools?

Combine 3b & 3d: Have the New Haven Foundation spend a lot of money on consultants to figure out why there is no money to pay for Yale to have enough money in its Music in the Schools program to provide music in the schools. NHF then can spend even more money for a meeting of "community leaders" at the Lawn Club, where they can give expensive crystal awards to both Yaffe and Warner, then speak somberly about the loss of arts education in our great city. All while the business community nods in agreement.

Posted by: ignoranceisbliss | July 1, 2009 5:52 PM

Good points #5 & 6 Yikes. I'm going to have to avoid that corner the two Linton girls will be hanging out on now that the music program has ended. Do you think they will be carrying their 9's in a violin case ?

Posted by: Yair | July 1, 2009 5:56 PM

Yale is cutting corners everywhere. If this were an isolated cut of $15,000 out of a multimillion dollar budget, there would be reason to complain. But every administrator in the university has to cut a definite percentage of their budget, and so a lot of "small" cuts are going to be made. Each cut by itself seems avoidable, but they add up.

That said, I hope that Yale is trying to keep at least some of its community support funding. I think it is the right thing to do, as well as strongly in Yale's interest, to help out the community through this difficult time.

Posted by: JCP | July 1, 2009 7:13 PM

If it is true that 150 administrators in the NHPS make over $100k, that upsets me greatly. To think that is happening in a failing school system is unthinkable and indefensible.

Posted by: Yikes What? | July 1, 2009 7:23 PM

Yair,

How's that job coming at Yale's Office of New Haven and State Affairs?

Someone whose job it is at Yale to build programs in the public schools cannot find $15,000 to pay for a program for 125 promising New Haven child musicians? Come on.

Yale administrators have to make "a lot of 'small' cuts"? The cost for phone, lights, heat and air conditioning in Dean Yaffe's office probably exceeds $15,000 in a year. I betcha the Music school spends well more than $15,000 on catering in a year.

Sure they have to make cuts -- the question is where do they make those cuts. And when they face tough times, do they balance their budgets on the backs of inner city children? Or do they roll up their sleeves, get on the phone and raise a few bucks.

Just so we all understand each other. If this program mattered to Yale, they could raise the money by holding a bake sale or a silent auction.

Seriously a one night event held by Yale at a downtown restaurant or a place to drop off checks at graduation or a Yale concert would raise $15,000.

What happened is a bunch of adults decided to pass the buck to each other and then no one picked the buck up and so once again New Haven kids get screwed.

And in case anyone thinks I am letting the New Haven Board of Ed off the hook for this, please someone defend them like Yair just defended Yale administrators and I will be happy to lay the smack down (again).

Posted by: Melanie | July 1, 2009 10:34 PM

How is this possibly a Yale University issue? The issue lies with New Haven Public Schools and the disorganization of Warner's administration.
"We thought that possibly some money would come up."
From where? Did they go out and try to find it, or just sit and wait for it to slide under the door?

If Yale only funded $15k of a $35k budget, do they have the extra $20k? If so, why not make 3-day/week program? Or a weekend program? Too much planning for NHPS?

There are ways around this..

As a side note, the music school offers hundreds of its students free tuition. How many institutions offer that, even if they can afford it?

Posted by: Mark | July 1, 2009 11:11 PM

There are a lot of great points here, about what could have been done to avoid this. Remember that the School of Music received a $100 million gift 4 years ago. Certainly the city should have done more, but Yale couldn't 15K? Really?

Posted by: lance | July 2, 2009 6:41 AM

maybe the kid's fathers or grandfathers should foot the bill for music lessons. that's how they did it in the old days.

Posted by: Yikes What? | July 2, 2009 9:32 AM

Ms. Melanie,

...

Yaffe's job is to provide music programs IN THE SCHOOLS. If he was the dean of admissions doing this on the side, your argument might have some merit (not much but some).

He is paid big bucks to provide for programs just like this one. He did not do so and thus there is no defense for his actions. Yale went out and raised tax exempt money to have a dean to do exactly this job. It's not like the donors who gave the money for his job thought he would drop the ball on something like this.

And you and I are taxpayers. Donations to Yale are tax exempt and the donor receives a tax deduction. So every time someone makes a donation to Yale, you and I pay a bit more in taxes. In furtherance of their tax exempt status Yale went out and raised money to do good in the public schools. It then screwed up.

So stop carrying Yale's water on this. They got money to do a job and then failed to do that job well. Warner did the same thing. She got money to do a job and then failed to do it well.

As to your point that "the music school offers hundreds of its students free tuition," that actually is the worst argument available. The music school got a huge donation a few years ago which allows it to be free for everyone who goes there, even the exceedingly wealthy.

That's nice but argues against your position. Yale music school administrators do not need to raise money for tuition financial aid so they have plenty time to hit up their alumni base to make donations for the community programs which they tout so heavily (and use to raise money).

So let's make it simple: Dean Yaffe's job was to make this program successful. He failed to do so. Warner's job was to make this program successful. She failed to do so.

Children are held accountable for the failures of these adults, yet this Friday both adults will get a big paycheck for not doing their jobs.

Posted by: vocal lessons | July 2, 2009 9:55 AM

This is really a great news that this music scholl did not charge it's students. I think this is a brave idea...
ALL THE BEST!!

Posted by: Vincent Oneppo | July 2, 2009 10:05 AM

This story claims that Yale "pulled the plug" on a summer music program in the public schools. Out of context, it portrays the School of Music as a wealthy yet tightfisted institution that would rather the children of this community went without music than part with a few thousand dollars.

But nothing could be further from the truth. The Yale School of Music (YSM) has a long and fruitful relationship with the New Haven Public Schools, and the complete story needs to be told.

In terms of dollars and cents, the YSM spends over $150,000 every year for the Music in Schools Initiative. Considerable resources have been put into staffing, with the creation of two full-time positions for designing and implementing over 20 different, creative programs in 28 schools. In addition, there are the hundreds of hours put in YSM administrators and support staff. Yale students - 106 altogether this year -- have worked approximately 2,500 hours in the New Haven Public Schools. In-kind contributions include numerous events for New Haven Public Schools in Sprague and Woolsey Halls, and the staffing required to make them a success. This is all in addition to the Duke Ellington Fellowship program that has been in place for 37 years, bringing jazz artists into the schools and bringing children to Sprague Hall for concerts and master classes.

So while I could understand why one of your readers commented that our administrators "don't actually do big parts of their job, namely run a summer music academy and engage in legitimate community outreach for the Yale Music School," I would encourage that reader and others to learn the full story before passing judgment.

The economic downturn put enormous pressure on budgets at Yale this past tumultuous year, forcing hiring freezes and strict controls on the bottom line. Nonetheless, the Yale School of Music committed itself to fully funding its New Haven Public Schools programs without compromise. But the economic situation simply did not allow for contributions to other programs.

If there is the slightest question about the Yale School of Music's commitment to music in the New Haven Public Schools, just ask any of the young performers in this year's Yale/New Haven Solo Competition and their teachers. Or ask the fourth grade class from Davis Street School who worked with Professor Thomas Duffy on a book/music project-just one of many similar music and literacy projects. Or any of the thousands of students and teachers who attended events at Woolsey Hall and Sprague Hall this year at no charge. They will show you that our programs have made a difference in the lives of thousands of children, are nationally-recognized for their depth and creativity, and are a source of pride for both the City and the University. We encourage you to go to our website music.yale.edu/community to see in photographs and video the work of our programs.

Vincent P. Oneppo
Director, Concerts and Media Office
Yale School of Music

Posted by: anon | July 2, 2009 10:46 AM

"In terms of dollars and cents, the YSM spends over $150,000 every year for the Music in Schools Initiative. Considerable resources have been put into staffing, with the creation of two full-time positions for designing and implementing over 20 different, creative programs in 28 schools. In addition, there are the hundreds of hours put in YSM administrators and support staff. Yale students - 106 altogether this year -- have worked approximately 2,500 hours in the New Haven Public Schools."

Agreed. Without Yale, New Haven would just be another Bridgeport, Newark, Providence, Springfield, or Gary.

Let's be thankful for the resources we have (for now... institutional endowments will continue to plummet).

If this camp is important to the BOE, they can take a salary cut, or sell off one of Dr. Mayo's city-funded SUVs, and pay for it. It is a matter of city priorities.

Posted by: Yikes What? | July 2, 2009 11:01 AM

Hey Vincent,

How about you stop with the Yale is great because of all it does for New Haven shtick. It's grown old over the years, especially for those of us who actually live here and pay taxes. Some donors gave you some money and you hired some people to engage in community service. That's nice but let's not pretend Yale is dipping into its endowment on this one.

How about you guys actually prove you give a damn and raise some money specifically to keep this program open and stop playing defense by having people write in on your behalf.

$15,000 -- that's what we are talking about here. How much does your office spend on wine, champagne and catering in a year? Seriously how much? We all have to cut back as you say but then you chose to cut back on a children's program. Maybe that should have been the last thing cut.

You have two full time staff you say? Well it's the summer so they are pretty much free right now so how about they spend two days and raise $15,000. Don't rely on Warner to raise the money because she apparently is incapable of doing so.

Look at the faces of the girls at the top of this article. They will not be going to music camp this summer because Yale could not find $15,000. Is that very hard for you to understand? Or has the creeping Blue wave of righteousness clouded your vision?

Posted by: Re "Yikes What?" | July 2, 2009 1:43 PM

@"Yikes What?" -

When I first read this story, I was inclined to blame Yale for cutting funds for its part of this program, which seems like a great program and not too expensive.

After reading your unhinged rants here in the comments section, I'm much more sympathetic to Yale. I imagine that no matter what Yale ever does in the New Haven community, however many resources the school brings to bear, people like you are going to pitch a resentful fit about the fancy "champagne and catering" you fantasize that everyone at Yale is enjoying while the city goes into economic collapse around them. I'm sorry if this sounds overly harsh, but you just strike this reader as deeply resentful, uninformed, and uninterested in finding facts/data. For example, do you have any reason to believe that Yale's cuts are deeper than they had to be, or that they are more weighted toward New Haven children's programs than they had to be? (This is not a rhetorical question - I don't know the answer either.) Do you know any actual numbers or information about what you think Yale should be cutting instead of what they are cutting? That is the kind of stuff that would make for an informed, convincing critique of this budget cut by Yale. Instead, so far I just hear vague fantasy about Yale opulence coupled with general resentfulness on your part. Ultimately it makes me MORE sympathetic to Yale, not less.

Anyway, I hope this story causes some wealthy person or something to step up and save this music program.

Posted by: rsmith | July 2, 2009 3:19 PM

To Seriously?

I agree with you 110%! This is an amazing contrast in outcomes. A group of community folks go into their pockets and raise $10k for one star Latina student in a week, and Warner can't raise $35k in nine months for 125 kids??? Yale is a convenient whipping post here, but it is not the real issue. Someone at BOE, namely Warner, knew of this shortfall some months ago, did nothing, told no one, then simply said "Yale isn't funding it". Nice try but this is a smokescreen for Warner's incompetence, or indifference. She and Charles should think that one over the next time they get into the Mercedes SUV.

Posted by: YIkes What? | July 2, 2009 3:20 PM

Mr. Re:

What do I know about what Yale spends money on. Hmmm. Let's see. Yale spent a ton of money on a new School of Music and on Dean Yaffe's salary. How about combined they spent well over $100 million. Of course most of that was spent on the new school.

Where else does Yale spend a lot of money. Let me think -- oh yes -- Rick Levin made $955,407 in 2007.

See here's the simple point which my "rant" is making. When you pay the absurd levels of pay that Yale pays to its senior officials, it behooves you to find $15,000 to cover the costs of a summer program for 125 poor children trying to learn music. When you spend a billion dollars on new buildings, you should not get away with dropping the ball on something like this. (That last point applies to both the the Board of Ed and Yale.)

So am I resentful. Damn right Mr. Re. I resent that a university official gets all of the perks and salary that this one gets and he can't find a solution for New Haven school children that requires him to work a little bit harder.

So his budget got cut. So what. Did it get cut a bigger percentage than the home budgets of the two girls in the story or thousands like them in this relatively poor city?

Big rich institutions don't get a pass just because they had a bit of belt tightening. Not in a city where the poverty rate is astronomical and the unemployment and foreclosure rates are reaching new highs every month.

And if you don't think that the Yale School of Music (and the rest of the university) spends a lot on catering and wine, then you have not been to as many of their events as I have.

Despite your belief that I have a "vague fantasy about Yale opulence," all one has to do to understand Yale's opulence is walk down New Haven's downtown streets. There's hundreds of millions of dollars in new construction and renovation of Yale buildings going on right now. These have been designed by some of the most prestigious architects of the day.

And I think that's great but if you spend this kind of money on buildings, then you don't get to cry poverty when real poverty is staring you in the face.

Bring it on Yalies and big blue wannabes -- bring it on. Strange we don't have any Warner defenders yet nor any for the community foundation. Wonder why.

Posted by: JZ | July 2, 2009 3:48 PM

Someone from the BOE should have been assigned the task of fundraising for the program as soon as Yale informed them they were dropping out. There are many other funding sources in the city other than Yale and I'm sure some would be interested in a program of this scope and quality. What a needless shame to cancel the program rather than put the work in to find funding.

Posted by: Yikes What? | July 2, 2009 4:45 PM

Gotta agree with RSmith on this one. Warner deserves a lot of the blame. Pretty incompetent behavior. But Yale's not blameless (though I have said that haven't I).

Posted by: anon | July 2, 2009 4:55 PM

Generation Greed at work, once again!

Posted by: latichever | July 3, 2009 8:51 AM

Tax Yale--instead of selling them our street for 30 pieces of silver as did Mayor Daniels.

Posted by: Streever | July 3, 2009 4:57 PM

Can anyone blame Yale?

The city could have stepped up and funded this program the 15k.
Oh wait no, we gave that to city hall employees instead!

Posted by: anon | July 5, 2009 3:25 PM

How much did the city spend on Dr. Mayo's new SUV? You know, the one that the taxpayers purchased for him so that he could reach schools faster when it snows?

Is the resale value enough to fund the $15K shortfall here? I am guessing the original price was in the neighborhood of $50-70K.

Posted by: Reader | July 6, 2009 10:51 PM

This story is sad for many reasons, not the least of which is what a small amount of money this is -- $280 per kid! For four weeks! I doubt you could get a few HOURS of music lessons for that price. For once, we have an efficient program and we let it slip away.

But enough complaining. It says they're looking for donors. NHI, follow-up please -- where do we send the check? If everybody who commented on this story threw in $20 instead of just sitting there griping, it could pay for these two girls to go. I'm serious. Who's with me?

Posted by: anon | July 7, 2009 1:30 AM

I agree, NHI! Follow up, please!

Posted by: Starperformance | July 8, 2009 10:56 AM

Obviously the harsh comments about Dr. Warner are by uninformed citizens. Anyone involved in the civic, and social life of the city would know she is an ardent supporter of the arts and respected child advocate and educator. From someone who is heavily in involved in the New Haven arts community, I can tell you she is a primary reason there is any music program left in the city, and huge part of the reason Yale saw the kind of giving for programs with the school system. She created the summer music camp!! Warner has attracted alot of money for the school system music program. She's put her money where her mouth is. Since there is so much concern for the camp, put your money where your mouth is and make donations to help her continue her great work!

Posted by: Red Morris | July 8, 2009 11:14 AM

The title of this story should read "Regina Warner blows it". End of story.

Posted by: Anna | July 8, 2009 12:19 PM

The BOE is strapped for cash like every other agency in the city. Paraprofessionals are losing jobs. Yale is feeling the pinch of the economic downturn and so is the Board of Ed. Two paraprofessionals salaries could be saved with the money this music camp would need from the Board. Mayo shouldn't have given any money to this program. Tell the parents to pay!! These jobs are needed.

Posted by: YSM | July 8, 2009 2:43 PM

It is absurd to call Dr. Regina Warner incompetent when she was the one who had the vision to start the program in the first place--and keep it going as long as it has.

Posted by: KJ | July 8, 2009 3:13 PM

This is very unfortunate, and I tend to agree with Melanie's post. To me, what is hard to believe is that the program went from a well funded large program to nothing. I am sure that most parents would have been willing to put up maybe $100 for the entire 4 week program and perhaps the other contributors could have contributed a much smaller amount so at LEAST there could have been SOME kind of program for the kids. It really seems that it could have been done, if even on a smaller scale.

Posted by: Ivan | July 8, 2009 4:19 PM

I wonder if those that donated the money to Yale for the camp are aware that Yale didn't hand the money over to the school district? Why didn't Mayo come up with the money? Oh yeah, the money went to hiring another Asst. Superintendant!!!!

Posted by: NHPS | July 8, 2009 7:16 PM

I completely disagree with you. I have worked in the New Haven District for many years and know that Regina Warner is not the woman you think she is. Warner enjoys taking credit for programs that are successful, even when she had nothing to do with its inception or guidance, and doling blame when it fails and appear as the one that could have saved the particular program. Moreover, she is only interested in what improves her image at the cost of many New Haven students. I implore you to dig and see she is not competent as a music supervisor. What has occurred in this recent situation shows she relies on others to do her work since she is not capable of fulfilling her duties. Thank you NHI for shedding more light on the real Regina Warner.

Posted by: Osbourne | July 8, 2009 10:17 PM

Are you previous posters upset with Dr. Warner because the music academy isn't happening or is it because she has a well paying city job which pays over a hundred thousand? She's actually underpaid. She runs two departments, previously these were two seperate positions. She's saving the city at least 100,000 dollars by doing both jobs. Earn the number of degrees she has and dedicate your life to your profession and you to could make as much as she does.

Posted by: ysm | July 9, 2009 7:17 AM

Actually she was running THREE departments, not two--advanced placement as well as libraries and music. Now calculate the savings.

Posted by: Bruce | July 9, 2009 9:35 AM

Enough with the finger-pointing. I'm with READER. I would love to help organize a fundraiser to save the program. If it's too late for 2009, let's get started for 2010.

If anyone else is interested, please contact me via my blog (click my name above).

Posted by: ysm | July 9, 2009 12:15 PM

Can you give an email address for participating in the fundraising? I'm in.

Posted by: ElmCityStudent | July 9, 2009 8:43 PM

I'd like to begin by first responding to the comment left by NHPS ... a so-called "long time employee of the New Haven BOE." Should you ever advance to a position of any real importance in the school system, there may be a time when you find your self in a similar situation. In no way is it the responsibility of school administrators or directors to personally raise funds for programs. While the thought of the Asst. Superintendent hosting a bake sale is quaint, it is in no way based in reality. It is, however a part of their job to build relationships that allow them to open doors and create opportunities for the students of New Haven.

I am a product of the New Haven Public School system and it is through passionate, motivated, and determined employees such as Dr. Warner that I have been able to realize all of my potential, creative and academic.

NHPS - You said that she was "not capable of fulfilling her duties." And I ask you if you've ever considered applying for her position? You seem to feel more than qualified to determine what makes someone a "competent music supervisor." It is easy to author a personal attack when you are veiled by a computer screen. I challenge YOU and all of those that feel the need to turn an unfortunate situation into an opportunity to attack a champion of the children of New Haven. I challenge you all to make a difference in the life of even one student in the city, as Dr. Warner has done for decades.

People wonder why it becomes increasingly more difficult to find enthusiastic and viable individuals to work in our schools, instead of criticizing those that ARE doing something... find out what YOU can do to pitch in and do your part.

Like NHPS, I'd also like to thank you, NHI for shedding some light... on the short sighted petty individuals that would prefer to point fingers, than to lend a hand.

Posted by: CrossGov | July 9, 2009 9:31 PM

An old classmate told me about the article and the sharp comments about Mrs. Warner. After reading them I'm compelled to share. Mrs. Warner is the reason my sister and I were able to go to college. No one in my family had ever been before. We were just kids from the projects. We were the kids that people don't see hope in, but she did. She worked to get me scholarships, and used contacts to get me into school. Because I went, my sister was inspired to go. Mrs. Warner shared her life and it enriched ours. Mrs. Warner didn't get anything for it, "no crystal awards". She was moved to serve because she knew that it would enrich my life. She never had to grand stand! She's naturally a grand lady.

Posted by: summercamp | July 10, 2009 9:57 AM

where is a followup article to donate money to the summer camp? nhi, help!