Families say new DEC timing sidelines student performers
Plano parents and students are contesting a change announced by the UIL District Executive Committee (DEC) that alters when junior varsity and ninth-grade band and drill team performances occur during football games. A letter dated Aug. 24 from Plano ISD’s Director of Fine Arts explained the DEC's move to a new Conference 6A alignment and described adjustments to the traditional halftime schedule.
Under the new implementation, the letter says bands and drill teams will still perform but their typical timeslots will be amended. For certain contests, performances that traditionally happened during halftime will instead take place after the game has concluded — a change that many parents say diminishes the visibility and significance of the students’ work.
What the district letter says
The Plano ISD communication, attributed to Phillip Morgan, Ed.D., linked the change to concerns the DEC identified about game length and official retention. The letter said historical practice of allowing JV and 9th-grade halftime performances had impacted referee retention, student-athletes’ physical consistency and scheduling of non-varsity contests compared with other districts.
"This historical practice was a privilege, as previous DEC's have allowed us to do so, while extending the game significantly," the letter said.
Specifics in the letter outline distinct scenarios:
- When a Plano ISD team plays another Plano ISD team at the 9th-grade or JV level, the home band and drill team will perform a maximum of 14 minutes at halftime; the visitor band and drill team will perform for up to 14 minutes after the game.
- When a Plano ISD team plays an external ISD team at the 9th-grade or JV level, both bands and drill teams will perform after the game for a combined maximum of 28 minutes.
- The letter also guarantees every 9-10 band and drill program the chance to perform at halftime in at least one of their games, regardless of opponent, "in order to ensure equity for all programs."
| Game type | Home performance | Visitor performance |
|---|---|---|
| Plano ISD vs. Plano ISD (9th/JV) | Up to 14 minutes at halftime | Up to 14 minutes after the game |
| Plano ISD vs. External ISD (9th/JV) | Both perform after the game for up to 28 minutes combined | |
Community reaction and petition
Reaction among Plano families has been swift. Parents and students mobilized a petition signed by more than 3,000 people asking the DEC to reconsider the decision. Several parents emphasized the morale and recognition value of halftime performances — particularly on Friday nights when family attendance is highest.
"Texas football, you know, without a halftime performance, it's just a scrimmage," said Plano ISD parent Brian Blumenthal, one of the petition organizers.
Another parent at a neighborhood meeting expressed concern that moving performances to after the game makes students feel like an "afterthought" and reduces the audience for their shows, noting many fans leave once the varsity contest concludes.
Implications for students and programs
Parents and band boosters argue the schedule shift could have several local consequences. For performers, reduced halftime visibility could affect student morale, recruitment into music and auxiliary programs, and family engagement. For schools, the change may alter the flow of game-day logistics and concessions, and could complicate travel-arrangements for visiting groups who rely on halftime exposure.
Plano ISD’s fine arts director framed the DEC change as an effort to align game timing with broader district and official concerns, but parents say the decision did not fully account for the cultural importance of halftime to school communities. The district letter notes the change aims to reduce game length and address referee retention issues that were exacerbated by extended halftimes.
Next steps
As of the letter, the DEC has implemented the alignment changes for Conference 6A. Parents say they will continue to press district and DEC leaders for a review or compromise that preserves halftime exposure for JV and 9th-grade performers. Any further official responses from Plano ISD or the DEC that modify the policy have not been reported yet.
For now, programs and families are preparing for the season under the new timing rules while advocacy efforts continue in hopes of restoring more traditional halftime opportunities.
