Plano ISD adjusts JV halftime schedules to meet new UIL limits

Plano ISD has revised the performance schedules for Junior Varsity and ninth-grade football games in response to new halftime restrictions. The changes apply specifically to non-varsity marching bands and JV drill teams, while varsity football halftimes, varsity bands, and varsity drill teams remain unaffected.

A district representative stated that the goal is to maintain meaningful performance opportunities for ninth- and tenth-grade students while adhering to UIL time limits and the parameters adopted by the 7-6A UIL District Executive Committee (DEC).

The DEC, composed of representatives from member schools, has established maximum halftime periods for sub-varsity games. For matches between a Plano ISD team and an opponent from another district, the limit is eight minutes. For games between two Plano ISD teams, the limit is fourteen minutes to accommodate a band or drill team performance.

These local parameters fall below the state UIL maximum of 20 minutes for sub-varsity games.

Plano ISD is unique within UIL District 7-6A, which includes Coppell ISD and Richardson ISD, as the only district with performing marching bands at its ninth- and tenth-grade high schools. The district has six non-varsity performing bands, whereas the other two districts in the alignment have none.

Additionally, Plano ISD is the only district in the group where both non-varsity bands and JV drill teams participate in game-day performances.

The traditional JV halftime format, which involved two bands performing for approximately 10 minutes each and two drill teams for about four minutes each, could not fit within the new time constraints. Consequently, performances are now distributed across pregame, halftime, and postgame slots.

For games against outside districts, one band may perform before the game, while drill teams may perform at halftime or after the game, depending on the schedule. For intra-district JV games, a 14-minute combined window is used at halftime, with an additional 10-minute pregame performance assigned to a band or drill team. Schools may also add an optional 14-minute postgame band performance.

The district stated that the revised schedule does not eliminate student opportunities but rather spreads them across the season. Every Plano ISD ninth- and tenth-grade high school has been provided a halftime performance opportunity during the non-varsity football season. The Fine Arts and Athletics directors collaborated to create these equitable opportunities for non-varsity groups.

Source: Star Local Media.

Sources

Star Local Media