© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Years after layoffs, music specialists return to Lansing elementary schools

Picture of a violin
Shunichi kouroki
/
Flickr Creative Commons

In 2013, Lansing School District elementary teachers with specialized arts certifications were laid off due to budget cuts; cuts that were made because the district faced a multi-million dollar deficit.    

Now, four new specialized music teachers have been hired by the district.

 

 

WKAR’s Katie Cook speaks with the District Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul, and with one of the new music educators, Kristen Durrell, who teaches at Pattengill Academy.

 

Caamal Canul begins by addressing why the district has been able to hire these music educators.

Related Content
WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.