PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 7, 2025) – A long-standing disagreement over pay and working conditions has led Portland high school band directors to announce they will not perform at football or basketball games this season.
The decision affects bands at Cleveland, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Ida B. Wells High Schools, raising concerns about the future of school spirit at athletic events across the city.
Band Directors Say Pay Doesn’t Match Responsibilities
In a joint statement sent to Portland Public Schools (PPS), the band directors explained that the current pay schedule for after-school activities does not accurately reflect the hours and responsibilities their positions require.
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They noted that while coaching and other extracurricular positions receive stipends for additional hours, band directors are expected to perform without comparable compensation.
“We have made repeated attempts to clarify and update the language in our contracts,” the letter stated. “But without adjustments to reflect the actual demands of our work, we cannot continue performing at athletic events.”
PPS Responds to Concerns
PPS officials argue that band directors have always been compensated according to their contracts, which historically have not included separate pay for after-school performances.
Valerie Feder, PPS Director of Media Relations, emphasized the district’s recognition of the bands’ importance:
“We recognize how valuable these programs are to students, athletes, and the broader school community. PPS remains committed to discussing the topic with PAT and exploring ways to support educators and maintain strong extracurricular programs during this process.”
District leaders indicated that discussions with the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) remain ongoing.
Broader Labor Disputes in PPS
The band directors’ decision comes against the backdrop of a larger, ongoing labor struggle within the district. PPS and the teachers union have been in contract negotiations for the past two years, following the teachers’ strike of 2023.
That strike centered on issues of workload, class sizes, and compensation—concerns that continue to shape negotiations today. The band directors’ withdrawal adds new pressure to those talks, as it highlights inequities in how extracurricular responsibilities are recognized and compensated.
Impact on Students and School Culture
The absence of live band performances at games will be felt immediately. High school bands traditionally provide music for halftime shows, pep rallies, and game-day energy, contributing to school pride and community spirit.
Student athletes, cheer squads, and fans will notice the difference when the stands are quieter this fall. Parents and students have expressed disappointment but also sympathy for the directors’ stance.
One parent at Cleveland High said, “It’s hard to imagine a football game without the band, but I understand why the directors are standing up for fair treatment.”
What Comes Next
While PPS says it remains committed to dialogue, no resolution has yet been reached. Until then, athletic events at the affected high schools will go without live band music.
The directors stressed that their decision is not a rejection of students or school traditions but an effort to push for fair compensation. They remain hopeful that renewed negotiations with PPS and PAT will lead to a solution that values the cultural and educational impact of music programs.
Conclusion
The standoff between Portland high school band directors and PPS underscores broader challenges in balancing budgets, contracts, and the expectations placed on educators. For now, the bands will remain silent at football and basketball games—an absence that may speak louder than music about the need for fair agreements in Oregon’s largest school district.
