Keep the AMS Band director position a Full Time position

Recently, the Alexandria Middle School administration has decided to replace our retiring fulltime Band Director position with a half-time teacher (halftime =20 hr week) plus a  stipend.
 
The administration's reason for decreasing the job requirement was that additional classes needed to be added for kindergarten and for 3rd grade.
 
So what is the superintendent proposing?
The superintendent thinks he can provide the same program with 1 of our music teachers working ½ the amount of hours.
The superintendent wants to cut the 4th and 5th grade band program to combined 4th and 5th grade band classes, unrealistically combining different levels of band students.  Combining entry level and 2nd year students is not a recipe for success.
 
The superintendent wants to remove the 4th and 5th grade Band rehearsals from the school day and schedule them from 8:00-8:40 before school. This schedule presents a hardship for many parents resulting in declining enrollment in the program
The superintendent wants to combine the ‘mallet’ lessons with other disciplines, which is an unrealistic expectation of any teacher to be able to teach varied musical disciplines in their beginner classes.
The superintendent wants to cut back jazz band to 3 Days, from 5.  This would seriously impact the resulting jazz band performance level we currently participate in.  No more ‘superior’ ratings in the future of  a Jazz Band that has less than half of the sectional practice  rehearsal time currently afforded to it.
The superintendent wants to cut out make up lessons.  So if there is a holiday on Monday the kids who have lessons scheduled are just out of luck?  Some of these kids have no other means of learning their instruments – not good for their development, let alone their confidence when they have to play with their peers.
The superintendent wants to cut out the 4th and 5th pullout band classes?  The schedule now alternates classes (and excludes math and LA) so that kids don’t miss too much of one subject.  Does the new schedule take this into consideration – no!
In the superintendent’s proposal for half-time employment, he already added 10% on a schedule that requires hrs of 8-12:30 x 5 days a week, plus a stipend before school practices. Jazz Band rehearsals. What about concerts, jazzband competitions, district band and other performance opportunities – are they stipend? Where is the financial benefit?
 
What is the superintendent missing?
 
It is apparent that the superintendent has no idea how much time is demanded by the music music teachers in our schools in order to produce the quality band program that our kids currently benefit from.  
 
It is also apparent that he does not understand the detriment of cutting the Band Director position down to halftime.
 
Halftime, which by the way is defined as 20 hrs, but who’s proposed schedule reflects ~23 hrs.
 
Halftime teachers are not as committed to our kids or our program as our current, fulltime, 31 year tenured band director.  Half time teachers are less likely to stay active in a program for many years, a quality that is beneficial, respected, adores, and teaches the importance of commitment to music students.
 
The superintendent does not attend our musical events, and appears to have no idea how successful our program is.  
 
The majority of Marching Band and Jazz Band at Del Val is composed of more Alexandria students than any other sending schools.
 
The existing music / chorus teacher can not be expected to absorb the responsibilities that a halftime teacher would not have time to satisfy.  
 
 
We have concerns!
Will a half-time teacher dedicate the same amount of extra time to this position as our full time – vested – music teachers do?
Will our current music and chorus director be able to take on even more responsibility than she has time for today?
Will our band program be enough to attract families to our school as a ‘school of choice’?
Will the band program be good enough to compete with Kingwood’s band program offerings?
Will our jazz band continue to participate in regional jazz festivals?
Will we be able to host our own Jazz Festival?
Will our jazz band even survive with such limited resources?
Will we be able to contribute as much talent to our high school band program?
Will our school be able to participate in community events, like the Clinton Holiday Parade?
Will our kids get enough instruction time as beginners as to aspire them to keep playing?