Band teacher reaches out for help to stock his classroom

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston band teacher wants the best for his students at William S. Holland Middle School. Six years ago, Rene Rodriguez helped re-launch the band program. He faced an empty room and a tiny budget. In that time, he's made due. Students share instruments and often can't take them home more than once a week.

The lack of resources have caught up with the band director. Rodriguez has launched a Kickstarter campaign with a big goal of $170,000 to help him stock the classroom. He told Eyewitness News that's a typical start-up budget seen in suburban schools.

"Kids want to be here and we want to inspire them to stay in school and work hard," said Rodriguez.

He said the inner city school kids deserve the same equipment as kids in more well-funded schools.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the teacher only had raised $700 of his $170,000 goal. If you're interested in helping him, here's a link to his Kickstarter campaign.