I am a director in a quickly-growing 3A district. We have approximately 60 in the HS band, 80 in 7/8th band, and 60 in 6th band. There are two directors on staff, and we are team-teaching HS and 6th grade - we split the 7/8th band by ability and each teach our own group in the same period. Our middle school went up from C to CC this year, putting our students in the same classification as districts with 4-5 staff members. We have also consistently fielded Winter Guards and Indoor Percussion groups over the past few years, however we are spread too thin this year and had to fold on those programs. Next year we are adding a third campus, and our music staff will teach grades 4-12, adding several classes and approximately 200 students to our load.
Our superintendent meets with me yearly to discuss program needs, and I have asked for an additional staff member for the past three years. I prepare information based on current numbers, predict number for the next few years based on previous year's retention, and compare our staffing to comparable districts. I also present schedules outlining what the duties of the staff currently are and what they would look like with an additional person. Each time I have been denied - our program numbers do not justify the additional position and the district has other needs that are more present.
I am preparing a presentation outlining the above information, but I am wanting advice on ways others have succeeded in adding staff members to their program. We have other needs - instruments, budgets, equipment - but our staffing need is currently the biggest.
We have a great program, and our administration is supportive. Are there things that should be said that I am missing? Is there a better way to present information? How can I best advocate for the program?
You are doing a great job! In your position, you can see the upcoming stress on your small staff. But the growth has not yet come to the point of being visible to the public, which is what motivates your Super. For example, your 60 piece marching band is obviously performing well, but that still looks like a small band.
Your VISIBLE program will probably outgrow your staff at least one year before you get that additional staff member. That is the way it normally happens because the admin is more responsive to public perception than to faculty stats and projections. However, you should continue your appeals to the Super.
You are in an enviable position, though you may not recognize it yet.
Here is what I mean: I know the band directors who, in years past, were in your exact position at Coppell, Frisco, Allen, Georgetown, Rockwall, etc. They are now retired (or deceased), and those programs are legendary. That is the lovely future that you can anticipate.
