I am here to comment on the employment status of the CCHS Band Director and the decision to reduce their position to part-time. High school band directors routinely work around 250 hours outside of the school day during marching band season alone, including managing rehearsals, football games, and competitions. That number does not include the additional hours spent planning lessons and rehearsals, selecting repertoire appropriate for the band's level and instrumentation, managing and maintaining thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, coordinating with band boosters, arranging uniform cleanings, organizing fundraisers, meeting with student leaders and staff after rehearsals, completing paperwork for trips and competitions/MPAs, and countless other responsibilities, all of which are covered by a mere $2,800 supplement.
It is deeply concerning that the school board would consider reducing this position to part-time without acknowledging the full scope of these responsibilities. The Band Director will likely be forced to find additional employment to offset the lost income, which will limit their availability to fulfill the program’s many needs. Needs that require hours far beyond the typical school day and, when factored in, compensate well below minimum wage.
Even though marching season lasts just 12–15 weeks, the work continues into concert season and beyond. Reducing the director’s hours undermines not only the program’s success but also student opportunities. The band room is a safe and vital space for many students. No other staff on campus is trained to provide the specialized instruction required: listening for timbre, correcting finger and sticking patterns, counting advanced rhythms, explaining music theory, preparation for professional auditions and performances, and supporting students’ musical growth. These are skills that general classroom teachers do not possess.
Reducing fine arts staff to part-time to fit budget needs is the first step toward eliminating fine arts altogether, an irreversible decision that would hurt the CCHS community. Imagine: a world without radio, movie scores, Broadway, dance, or music. That spark start with our music educators, funding, and support. Not allocation cuts.
I strongly oppose the reassignment of Mr. Jason Cochrac to a part-time teaching position at CCHS. Let’s be honest—this role is never truly part-time. Ask any band director in the county, and they’ll say the hours extend far beyond the school day, often exceeding 40 per week. Mr. Cochrac has dedicated countless after-school, weekend, and summer hours every year to build the Sound of Pride into an award-winning program recognized across the state.
As a recent alumnus, I can personally attest to his impact. Thanks to his mentorship, I was selected for Broward’s All-County honor band since 8th grade, Festival of Winds in Tampa since 10th, and Florida’s All-State band in 12th. I also received the Broward Arts for the Future Scholarship, among others, totaling $11,500. None of this would have been possible without his leadership.
When I contacted the Superintendent’s office, I was told there would still be a “quality band program.” But how? This assumes Mr. Cochrac will continue full-time effort for part-time pay. That’s unrealistic and unfair. No experienced band director will take on a demanding role like this with reduced hours and salary. Instead, it’ll be filled by someone less qualified and/or reassigned—at the expense of the program’s excellence.
CCHS will lose not just a teacher, but the heart of a program that motivates, challenges, and transforms students like me and plenty others year after year. Reduced leadership will lead to declining enrollment—a program you claim to care about, yet are actively undermining. A once-respected program will fade.
As someone who passed 14 AP and 5 AICE courses, I find it hard to believe this reassignment was well thought out—especially when full-time positions remain for English 4-College Prep, Math for College Algebra, and similar courses. Those can be replaced by AP/AICE offerings already available. If budget cuts are meant to promote academic rigor and efficiency, consolidate there—instead of cutting a position that consistently goes above and beyond.
Don’t let short-term cuts destroy a program with long-term value. Reinstate Mr. Cochrac’s full-time role and protect the future of the CCHS band—a program heard, seen, and felt throughout Cooper City and beyond.
I am here to comment on the employment status of the CCHS Band Director and the decision to reduce their position to part-time. High school band directors routinely work around 250 hours outside of the school day during marching band season alone, including managing rehearsals, football games, and competitions. That number does not include the additional hours spent planning lessons and rehearsals, selecting repertoire appropriate for the band's level and instrumentation, managing and maintaining thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, coordinating with band boosters, arranging uniform cleanings, organizing fundraisers, meeting with student leaders and staff after rehearsals, completing paperwork for trips and competitions/MPAs, and countless other responsibilities, all of which are covered by a mere $2,800 supplement.
It is deeply concerning that the school board would consider reducing this position to part-time without acknowledging the full scope of these responsibilities. The Band Director will likely be forced to find additional employment to offset the lost income, which will limit their availability to fulfill the program’s many needs. Needs that require hours far beyond the typical school day and, when factored in, compensate well below minimum wage.
Even though marching season lasts just 12–15 weeks, the work continues into concert season and beyond. Reducing the director’s hours undermines not only the program’s success but also student opportunities. The band room is a safe and vital space for many students. No other staff on campus is trained to provide the specialized instruction required: listening for timbre, correcting finger and sticking patterns, counting advanced rhythms, explaining music theory, preparation for professional auditions and performances, and supporting students’ musical growth. These are skills that general classroom teachers do not possess.
Reducing fine arts staff to part-time to fit budget needs is the first step toward eliminating fine arts altogether, an irreversible decision that would hurt the CCHS community. Imagine: a world without radio, movie scores, Broadway, dance, or music. That spark start with our music educators, funding, and support. Not allocation cuts.
I strongly oppose the reassignment of Mr. Jason Cochrac to a part-time teaching position at CCHS. Let’s be honest—this role is never truly part-time. Ask any band director in the county, and they’ll say the hours extend far beyond the school day, often exceeding 40 per week. Mr. Cochrac has dedicated countless after-school, weekend, and summer hours every year to build the Sound of Pride into an award-winning program recognized across the state.
As a recent alumnus, I can personally attest to his impact. Thanks to his mentorship, I was selected for Broward’s All-County honor band since 8th grade, Festival of Winds in Tampa since 10th, and Florida’s All-State band in 12th. I also received the Broward Arts for the Future Scholarship, among others, totaling $11,500. None of this would have been possible without his leadership.
When I contacted the Superintendent’s office, I was told there would still be a “quality band program.” But how? This assumes Mr. Cochrac will continue full-time effort for part-time pay. That’s unrealistic and unfair. No experienced band director will take on a demanding role like this with reduced hours and salary. Instead, it’ll be filled by someone less qualified and/or reassigned—at the expense of the program’s excellence.
CCHS will lose not just a teacher, but the heart of a program that motivates, challenges, and transforms students like me and plenty others year after year. Reduced leadership will lead to declining enrollment—a program you claim to care about, yet are actively undermining. A once-respected program will fade.
As someone who passed 14 AP and 5 AICE courses, I find it hard to believe this reassignment was well thought out—especially when full-time positions remain for English 4-College Prep, Math for College Algebra, and similar courses. Those can be replaced by AP/AICE offerings already available. If budget cuts are meant to promote academic rigor and efficiency, consolidate there—instead of cutting a position that consistently goes above and beyond.
Don’t let short-term cuts destroy a program with long-term value. Reinstate Mr. Cochrac’s full-time role and protect the future of the CCHS band—a program heard, seen, and felt throughout Cooper City and beyond.