I'm a head director in a 5A outside a major metro. The kids are poor and the district is broke. My meager budget will be cut next year due to the state budget issues. Hardly any of my kids take lessons, that just can't afford it. We supply most instruments and my inventory is old and worn out. The few kids who own an instrument bought the Amazon special. When I took over this program it had a history of solid 3s. We're making 1s now but it's a grind. I'm in a region with some powerhouse schools, it's really tough to get kids into all-region and there's no way I'm ever getting past Area for marching. We start beginners in 7th grade, so my kids are always a year behind. This is not a school that will be a BOA or Honor Band contender.
A nearby school in one of my target districts is hiring an assistant. It would be a pay cut, but I could handle it. They were honor band finalists a few years back, consistent BOA finalists, lots of kids in region bands. Their 3rd band played some of the same lit my 1st band is playing. This is the kind of place I want to be, but those HD jobs don't open often.
Long-term, I want to be head director at a great school. If that's my goal, am I better off staying as head director at my not-great-but-getting-better school, or as assistant at the awesome school?