ARGYLE — The Argyle school board voted to purchase two five-octave marimbas for the band program at a cost of about $30,000, after debate on whether the instruments were a want or a need.

Before the 5-2 vote Monday, board members weighed the decision of whether the district really needed such expensive items, which are essentially high-quality xylophones.

Board member Brenda Alexander, who opposed the marimbas’ purchase, said her concern with buying the items had nothing to do with the band program or students, but costs. She said she worried that if so many costly items were purchased at the front end of the school year, there may not be enough money at the end of the fiscal year to cover items needed by other departments.

“It’s just my uncertainty for the future,” Alexander said.

Board President Debbie Cantrell said the board is supportive of every child, but big-picture decisions that represent the district’s best economic interest are difficult.

Board members expressed concern that approving such a large purchase could lead to a slippery slope when other programs needed money. It was also mentioned how the decision could improve or hurt the band program.

Some board members said they would like to see expensive items such as the marimbas included in programs’ long-term plans so that the items don’t come as much of a surprise.

Asking for more information, board members tabled the proposal to buy the instruments in November when administrators first brought them the proposal.

Argyle band director Kathy Johnson told the board that while the band was hoping to wait to buy the marimbas, an offer saving the district about $6,000 was presented. She said that purchasing the items now would be the “best time” and that waiting could result in a price increase.

In a letter to the board drafted by assistant band director Michael Lemish, he said the band does not have marimbas of the extended range the program would like to purchase.

The purchase of the five-octave marimbas would allow the band program “a far superior sound” and more options for “performing more advanced percussion ensemble literature,” thus increasing the type of solos that can be performed — whether for concerts, state and national competitions, music scholarships or for a student’s admittance into an undergraduate music school, the letter read.

With the synthetic marimbas that the band program owns, Lemish wrote, the band has had to leave music notes they’ve performed or rescore the music to a higher octave.

Research showed five-octave marimbas are widely used among most high school and Texas university band programs, Lemish said in his letter. The expected lifespan of a marimba is about 25 to 30 years, he said, and they will currently benefit about 40 high school and middle school students.

Superintendent Telena Wright recommended that the board approve the purchase of the marimbas. She said money for the instruments will come from capital outlay funds, which total about $325,000, that were set aside for the 2009-10 school year.

Wright said she views the purchase as an asset.

“I actually see it as a way to give our students the best that we can to achieve their accomplishments,” she said.

The band expects to receive the marimbas in mid-February.

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com