After 21 years, Joliet West Band Director Kevin Carroll is saying goodbye.
The instructor, who who last year won the prestigious Golden Apple Award, has submitted his resignation, reportedly to accept a job in Aurora.
Joliet Township District 204 spokeswoman Kristine Schlismann confirmed Monday that Carroll has submitted his resignation, which will go before the school board for a vote at its June 17 meeting.
Last month, a JT West junior started an online petition urging the board to hire a second band director to relieve Carroll's heavy workload.
"I began the petition to address a noticeable problem that I and my fellow students have noticed over the past few years," student Youjia Wang told Patch. "The band program has grown substantially over the years and it will continue to grow in the future. However, the school has not provided enough support to accommodate this growth and Mr. Carroll, along with the band's resources, is stretched incredibly thin."
Board of Education President Jeff Pierson told Patch a second band director was not in next year's budget, but that could change for the 2015-16 school year.
Joliet West's music programs have won numerous awards and honors during Carroll's tenure
Schlismann said the Joliet West band director job is posted as an anticipated vacancy until the board of education can approve Carroll's resignation.
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