DEKALB COUNTY, Ga.,None — DeKalb Public School's decision to suspend all outside marching band activities as it conducts an investigation into the program will keep at least one student from getting a scholarship.
The drumlines from Stephenson and Southwest DeKalb high schools were invited to compete with three other Atlanta school bands during a half-time competition at the Georgia High School Senior All Star Bowl on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Southwest DeKalb decided not to participate because of an upcoming symphony event, according the director of the band's booster club. But Stephenson had made a decision to compete. Yesterday, the school dropped out citing the suspension of band activities.
The organizer of the event said he is disappointed, especially because a drummer from each school that participates is awarded a $21,000 scholarship to Alabama State University.
"Working with students, dealing with students. You know this is scholarship money. My thing is to help students, so I feel bad for them." James Oliver, Alabama State University band director said.
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DeKalb Schools said it conducting a system-wide investigation into the culture of the marching band program after receiving two documented reports of "inappropriate activity" in the band programs at two schools.
A spokesman for the school system declined to name the schools or discuss the nature of the alleged activities.
Walter Woods told Channel 2's Tom Regan that investigators questioned students and staff at schools on Thursday. He said they have also received calls about other alleged incidents in the band program.
"We have taken a lot of parent calls over the last 24 hours. Some have come forward with information they want us to look into." Woods said.
Woods said that marching bands would be allowed to participate in the Martin Luther King Day parade and possibly other events in the future.
DeKalb's action comes on the heels of a suspected hazing death and beating in the Florida A&M University Marching Band program last month.
Both victims graduated from DeKalb County schools. Two of three FAMU students charged in the beating also attended DeKalb County schools.