Hillsborough Parents, Students Upset As In-Person School Music, Theater Shows Halted

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Emotions ran high at the recent school board following a decision to prohibit in-person school musical and theater performances due to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I just wanted to express my disappointment and frustration to ban in-person musical performances in the Hillsborough public schools," said Kristine Gibson, a Hillsborough parent of two daughters in the district's music programs. "I've been very cautious throughout the pandemic and I've felt overall that our schools have been reasonable in their approach to minimizing risks but this decision makes no sense. And is not only unfair to the students and families of musicians but also detrimental to the entire music program in our schools."

Kelly Irwin, a senior at Hillsborough High School and part of the choir, said she is auditioning and applying at colleges in hopes of becoming a music educator.

"As I walked on stage I could feel the nervous energy as I peeked to see who was there to watch, I would make a mistake in my craziness of nerves but I would compose myself and keep going. This ability to persevere while singing is important. Unfortunately, we have been unable to have an in-person concrete since our last concert in January 2021," said Irwin. "As a student auditioning live for colleges in the winter, this experience and the pressure of an audience is vital to my success in an audition."

Some parents and residents also suggested a bias and "inequitable treatment toward theater students" during the Monday night Board of Education meeting.

"The perception is there is a bias against them or they are not cared about," said Dina Albanese. "Sports are allowed to have people there even football games people are shoulder to shoulder outside and packed in there."

Prior to parents speaking, Superintendent Dr. Lisa Antunes announced that the district agreed to allow academic teams to participate in academic competitions. However, they must follow all health and safety guidelines.

Antunes emphasized the difficulty in making each decision while keeping students and staff safe and schools open.

"Folks make no mistake we carry the weight of each and every decision we make for 1,400 staff members and 7,300 students. We know that these decisions do not make everyone happy and I understand that it may seem inconsistent but every situation is looked at individually," said Antunes. "There may be inconsistencies but however there are consistencies in trying to ensure everyone is safe. We've also been consistent in the promise to reevaluate and adjust decisions as time moves forward."

Antunes noted that with each decision the district converses with the New Jersey Department of Health, the local department of health, district physician, and others who indicate that an increase in the number of COVID patients will continue throughout the holiday season before stabilizing during the winter.

"These are decisions that I am happy to spend time with because it means we are in school. However, if we don’t remain vigilant and don’t allow the process to unfold based on upon the situation at the moment of decision making then school will close and we won’t have to worry about making these decisions. And I don’t believe that is what anyone wants," said Antunes.

Boardmember Benjamin Kidd asked the district "if it is possible to safely administer performances this fall with an audience at any level I strongly urge the administration to do so."

Boardmember Paul Marini added the district would get more details on logistics to try to make indoor performances a reality.

"I understand the frustrations with the inconsistencies or the seeming inconsistencies with athletics versus performance arts," said Marini. "I think that with all things COVID there is a lot of inconsistencies… I'm confident the administration will get further details on logistics."

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