(Update: Adding video, comments by Ridgeview High students, parents, school district responses)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Tensions are rising at Ridgeview High School as students involved in the theater program express their frustration over having to share their performance space with community organizations.
It was a full house at Wednesday’s Redmond School District board meeting. Students, parents and some staff are concerned over Ridgeview High booking out its theater to community organizations.
Student Flynn Bouvia said, “We want our weekend hours to do our work parties, and we want our after-5:30PM hours to do our night rehearsals closer to our actual performances. I believe Ridgeview High School is not a cash cow for the district, and the students want our theater back.”
Students claim the theater schedule has been overtaken by community events, limiting their access to the stage and rehearsal spaces.
Parent David Keyte said, “Our concerns were that the Ridgeview mainstage production has been booked over by an outside group and that we’re not able to have access to the stage for weekends or evenings that are required for the mainstage theater production every year.”
Keyte’s daughter, Maddie agreed.
“On the weekends, on Saturdays we have work parties generally in the mornings to help build our set, because it takes a lot of time, and we take great pride in what we do,” she said.
There’s even an online petition that has garnered more than 400 signatures.
Here are statements in response from the Redmond School District and Ridgeview’s Principal, Brian Cook.
Statement from the Redmond School District on Ridgeview High School Theater Program
The Redmond School District assures that students are not losing access to the Ridgeview High School Theater. We are committed to providing our theater program with the time and space needed for successful productions.
The Facilities Department operates under Policy KG and Administrative Rule KG-AR, managing school buildings as community assets. While school use remains the priority, the community has a right to access the facilities as outlined in district policies.
We appreciate the dedication of our theater directors, students, and volunteers, and look forward to another great year of performances.
Statement from Principal Brian Crook on Ridgeview High School Theater Program
As Principal of Ridgeview High School, I want to see the Ridgeview Theater Program thrive. Our students will have the necessary time and space in the theater to prepare for and perform their productions, and we are committed to supporting their creative efforts.
We understand the importance of the arts in our school, and we are dedicated to keeping the theater program a strong part of the Ridgeview experience. The Facilities Department follows district policy, which prioritizes school use while also recognizing the need to accommodate community use. We are working to balance both needs effectively.
I appreciate the passion and dedication of our students, staff, and volunteers who help bring our productions to life. We are excited for another successful year of theater here at Ridgeview.
District Policies
Ridgeview freshman Grace Nielsen said, “We’re getting a lot of our time taken away from us, and we’re getting like kind of treated like we’re for the money and stuff, and I feel like that’s wrong.”
Some students and parents are calling for a reevaluation of the current scheduling system.
The school board is expected to discuss the issue at its next meeting, with the possibility of adjusting the theater’s scheduling policies on the table.
For now, students continue to juggle rehearsals and shared space, determined to put on a great show despite the challenges.