Many people are justifiably skeptical of pronouncements about PAM’s [Pennsylvnia Academy of Music’s] value to the community. They’ve heard that tale before. What they need to hear instead is how PAM will construct realistic budgets based primarily on tuition revenues, how it will recruit students to provide those tuition revenues, and how it will use donor gifts to supplement those revenues. So far, that kind of planning has been absent from the various statements and publicity efforts, ever since the institution faced difficulty. Saying “we’re wonderful, trust us,” isn’t a mission statement or a goal-oriented plan.
If PAM is to revive, it will need to construct a plan that is sensitive to budget and market pressures. Budgets should be constructed that reflect realistic estimates of revenues, thus forcing leaders to adequately prioritize. And a realistic evaluation of the precollegiate music education market will help PAM recognize what distinguishes its offerings from what’s currently available in the region — if anything really does. Lancaster residents are lucky to have so much access to terrific music programs.
PAM’s resurrection, unfortunately for those who depend on it for employment, is not critical to Lancaster’s success. But resolving PAM’s financial issues might be. The sooner the various guarantees are sorted out, the sooner two fine local foundations can begin assessing the damage done to their financial resources. Once that is done, then one hopes they’ll be able to continue their philanthropy, helping deserving organizations and individuals in the region.
Recouping some of the money the foundations guaranteed by liquidating PAM assets seems only just — and fair to those well-run organizations that depend on these foundations for help. The former PAM board chair, Paul Ware, deserves thanks from this community for his investment in its people and organizations. The various newspaper articles do not point to him as the one who was in charge of PAM. As has been noted in articles, PAM’s founders were in control, even, as one board member said, if it meant letting the boat sink rather than giving control over to someone who could steer it to safety.
Well said. Now if only the leaders of and donors to, will take heed or get out of the way and let the good guys on through.