The Ames School District is looking to reduce its overall operating expenses substantially by eliminating a full-time band director position, but many community members are opposed to the idea, saying many students will lose out on valuable instruction once the move becomes final.

Ames High School Band Director Chris Ewan is retiring at the end of the current school year.  Ewan is one of three band directors at the high school, with another three, one for each grade, at the Ames Middle School.

The decision means the district will leave the band department that serves both schools with five full-time equivalent employees in the coming school year, thus resulting in a total cost savings of roughly $80,000.

The Ames School District has been looking at ways of reducing a $1 million budget shortfall that lies ahead for the coming year.

More than 900 people have signed an online petition opposing the district’s decision to eliminate the band director position.

All current high school and middle school band director’s names haven been included as part of the petition.

A community member who has two sons involved in the band program noted that although it may be easier to not rehire to fill an empty position, it never hurts to take an extra  look before a final decision is made.