I taught with a guy like that. Drove me nuts. As the assistant, if you're trying to enforce something the HD won't, you're wasting time and energy. Yes, it will hurt the program if there is zero accountability. I didn't do a ton of teaching to those who missed, I expected them to figure it out for themselves. Maybe in your concert class you can have higher standards.

When you have your own program, trying to enforce something your principal won't back is similarly futile.

Remember this in the spring when deciding whether to stay or find a new job.