Concerts for education in Arlington

By Brock Parker, Globe Correspondent

The Arlington Education Foundation and Arlington FY11 are planning two concerts as part of their joint efforts to raise $1 million to lessen the impact of budget cuts on the local schools.

The first concert will feature the Tom Ferrante Swing Band on June 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Arlington High School. The second concert, June 6 at 4 p.m. in Town Hall, will feature students from the Ottoson Middle School and a quartet composed of Selectman Kevin Greeley, School Committee chairman Joe Curro, Ottoson Middle School principal Tim Ruggere, and Arlington High principal Charlie Skidmore.

The nonprofit groups last week announced their campaign had topped $171,000. The proceeds will be turned over to the School Committee to ease the impact of budget cuts that are expected to require dozens of layoffs and cuts in programs. Donations for the FY11 School Gap Fund will be collected at the concerts in lieu of an admission fee, organizers said.