Plano ISD has altered its traditional halftime performances for junior varsity and ninth- and 10th-grade bands and drill teams this season. Under new scheduling parameters, some of these groups now perform before or after non-varsity football games rather than during halftime.
The district stated that these adjustments are necessary to comply with state UIL regulations and parameters adopted by the UIL District 7-6A Executive Committee as part of the latest realignment.
In a letter dated Aug. 24, Plano ISD Director of Fine Arts Phillip Morgan explained that the previous practice of allowing multiple bands and drill teams to perform at halftime had contributed to longer football games. Morgan cited concerns regarding referee retention, the physical consistency of student-athletes, and delays in completing scheduled contests.
The district noted that state rules limit sub-varsity halftime to 20 minutes, whereas varsity games allow 28 minutes. Traditional JV performances often exceeded the 20-minute limit, with two bands performing for about 10 minutes each and two drill teams for about four minutes each.
Under the new guidelines, halftime performance time varies depending on the opponent. For JV games against schools outside the district, halftime is limited to eight minutes, which may allow for one or more drill teams while a band performs before or after the game. For games between two Plano ISD teams, there is a 14-minute combined performance window during halftime.
The district stated that postgame performances can be added at the discretion of the campus band director and that every ninth- and 10th-grade high school has been given an opportunity to perform at halftime at least once during the season.
Kenton Grupe, a parent of a student in the Shepton High School JV band, said families were caught off guard by the sudden change. "It was difficult because I was trying to figure out exactly how was it going to break it to my kids or at least to my daughter," Grupe said.
