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Plano

Posted by Confused on 3/24/2023, 9:07 pm

Is something happening in Plano ISD fine arts? I'm not super close to any of them but I'm seeing lots of posts about people leaving the district.

Re: Plano

Posted by N the No on 4/4/2023, 12:48 pm, in reply to "Plano"

New admin is hostile toward the music directors. The big issues are adding more electives to 6th grade, cutting staff and funding, more electives to come the next year, and retaliation for directors who advocate for their programs. The new DFA, who was non-renewed in a previous district, has said openly that the music staff are bad employees and should leave.

The choice of electives is not unusual, but Plano does not staff for classes needing to be taught, just bodies in the rooms. Some band programs may be cut to one director in the next couple of years. Some may only have a part-time position split between campuses. Plano is already very restrictive on recruiting. Directors cannot go to elementaries to sell their programs, and they have an insane amount of administrative work to do that is not factored in.

Lots of negativity and no support for music programs or staff.

Re: Plano

Posted by Honest on 4/5/2023, 9:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Plano"

I know your DFA in PISD and everything you’ve said about him is inaccurate and bordering on libel.

Post like this are for cowards that won’t go speak to him and find out the truth

Re: Plano

Posted by Hmm on 4/6/2023, 11:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Plano"

What do you say to a person when you no longer feel comfortable with their counsel and know you will be parting ways?

Re: Plano

Posted by N the No on 4/6/2023, 8:27 am, in reply to "Re: Plano"

You're probably right. Everybody's in a tizzy because he's so highly supportive of music. Actually, I think he's going to end up being the fall guy when it all falls apart. I feel bad for him.

Libel requires false information with intent to harm. Neither is true here. Not even close.

You have no idea whether or not I have spoken to him in person.

Re: Plano

Posted by Bob on 3/25/2023, 3:46 pm, in reply to "Plano"

Sounds like they don't want to advocate to the 5th graders why they should choose their elective. Go to the elementary schools and say this is what bamd is like, this is what choir is like, and this is what orchestra is like. Agree with BDSO..this is how other districts do theirs...

Re: Plano

Posted by Former PISD on 3/26/2023, 11:03 am, in reply to "Re: Plano"

That's quite a leap to come to that conclusion. I mentioned nothing about lessening of recruitment efforts.

Re: Plano

Posted by Former PISD on 3/24/2023, 11:30 pm, in reply to "Plano"

New district leadership has enacted change at the MS level for fine arts electives. 6th graders used to be required to take band, orchestra, or choir. Theater and art are now choices and enrollment in music programs is taking a serious hit. Some middle schools are reporting as few as 50 beginners in band.

Re: Plano

Posted by BDSO on 3/25/2023, 11:25 am, in reply to "Re: Plano"

So...they are doing what normal large district do. We have 9 different electives for 6th grades this year. We are a 3C in a large district with about 1,100 on campus, with 357 (as of Monday) in the 6th grade. We have 108 6th graders in beginner band (plus 15 7th & 8th graders). That's just under 1/3 of the grade level with 11 other elective to compete against. But, next year we will have 12 and they are dropping a period so they will get only one elective spot. My list of beginners for next year sits at 85. In talking with directors from other school in my area, this is happening to most of them as well.

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