JAY – Parents are passing a petition requesting that the Jay School Department hire Katy Cloutier to fill the elementary music position for the 2007-08 school year.

Parent Marie Jones is spearheading the effort along with others and has already lined up people and places to pass or put out the petition.

Cloutier, of Jay, is the elementary music teacher and has been in that position for two months. She submitted her resignation in April after she learned that she was not going to receive a continuing contract from school officials, she said.

Cloutier said she felt that it would not look good if the School Committee voted not to renew the contract. She tried to retract her resignation, but was told it was too late, she said.

School Committee members have had to make tough decisions in cutting positions to reduce the proposed $10 million fiscal 2008 budget by $504,000.

Cloutier has since reapplied for the music position that has yet to be posted.

“I love my job,” Cloutier said.

“Cloutier has awakened in her students a great appreciation for music by providing them with numerous avenues to express their talents and interests,” a statement on the petition reads.

A few people spoke favorably at the May 10 school board meeting during public session on the music program, pointing out the need to keep music in the schools as well as appreciation for the Christmas and spring musical performances they say have benefited community members and the children.

Jones said she is also trying to organize a petition drive to collect signatures at a place of business in town.

She also has a petition for children who have been taught by or directly interacted with Cloutier in an effort to include those who are most affected by any decisions made regarding staff in Jay schools, Jones said.

“While it may not have legal ramifications, I expect it will make quite a statement,” Jones said.

People need to remember that they must sign their names and print them and fill in the street address, she said of the petition.

School Superintendent Robert Wall said there will be two music positions open next year, both are vacant at this time.

One will be for the elementary music position and the other for the middle and high school choral position.

“We will be advertising these positions and we hope qualified persons will apply,” Wall said.

The building principals will look at program needs and decide what characteristics and skills they will be seeking in candidates, Wall said.