The Toronto District School Board will save its cherished music program.
Trustees voted Wednesday night to balance its books by cutting nearly $30-million.
But a proposal to shave $2-million off the deficit by cutting back on itinerant music instructors was shelved. IMIs are musicians who lead bands and strings and steel pan groups in Grades 5 through 8.
The money will be found through "in house savings," such as not filling staff vacancies.
Trustees were against cutting IMIs after a chorus of protests from parents and students. An online petition to stop the cuts had generated more than 10,000 signatures.
Trustees voted earlier this year to slash about 250 high-school teaching jobs, including special education teachers and guidance counsellors, to help deal with a $55-million shortfall.