KARNS CITY — About 20 current and former Gremlins Marching Band members attended the Karns City School Board meeting Monday night to confront the school board and superintendent about a woman and teacher they consider vital to the marching band.

Former marching band member Catherine Spafford said Dorinda Aigner, the marching band director for 23 years and a music teacher at the high school, was informed by administration that her contract would not be renewed for the marching band position because the band would “be going in another direction.”

She said that direction was not explained to Aigner, but rumors persist that school officials want to change the marching band into a noncompetitive show band that would stand on the field and play music without moving.

Spafford said Aigner was told that the intent-to-return form Aigner had signed in January would be used as her application for the position, and that she would go through the interview process like every other candidate for the job.

Spafford said Aigner, who did not attend Monday night’s meeting, decided not to pursue the position because she did not want to lead a show band.

“Technically, she withdrew,” said Spafford, ‘but it was all these factors leading up to it. She wants to be clear she did not voluntarily resign from the position.”

Superintendent Eric Ritzert disagreed.

“I think I tried to convey to Ms. Aigner her options,” he said. “I feel she voluntarily withdrew.”

Many students and a few parents who attended the meeting cried during the meeting.

One was Charity McGrady, a sophomore twirler in the band’s color guard, who said Aigner is more than a teacher or band director.

Charity called Aigner a second mother who has encouraged her to perform at her best as a musician and in life.

“I go to her with all of my problems,” Charity said. “She convinced me to go into the Air Force. We’re all heartbroken.”

Baylin Snyder, a freshman trumpet player in the band, said all 30 students who attended the annual spring marching band trip to Boston cried when Aigner told them on the way home that she would no longer be their band director.

She said the majority of the marching band does not want to become a show band and give up competing, and neither does Aigner. She said that is why Aigner declined to remain director of a lesser band.

“She doesn’t want to be the one to hurt us,” Baylin said.

Jessica Spafford, a 2007 graduate and marching alumni who is now a professional opera singer, said 18 Karns City students in the last 20 years have gone on to make their living as professional musicians.

“This program, unlike many other extracurricular activities, is the only one that has produced professionals in their field,” Jessica Spafford said.

She said the music in marching band is also more complex than the simple pop tunes played in a show band.

“If it were not for Ms. Aigner, I would not be a professional musician today,” Jessica Spafford said.

William Craig, a tuba player in the marching band, made a heartfelt plea to the school board to restore Aigner to her original position.

“We were shocked and confused by the decision, because we are a family in our band,” William said, “but without Ms. Aigner, that family isn’t quite complete.”

He said the difficulty level in marching band is high, and every year the Gremlins bring home at least three trophies.

“Competitions that we do are a way to test us, to see that we’re improving,” he said.

William said many student musicians would not return to marching or show band in the fall if Aigner is not the director.

“She was our teacher,” William said. “She taught us important life lessons that many of us will carry throughout our lives.”

He also pleaded with the board to keep the marching band format rather than changing to a show band.

“When I was a little boy, I remember seeing the field show, and I told my mom ‘I want to do that someday,’” William said.

Beth Snyder, an officer in the band boosters, chided two of the board members whose children are varsity cheerleaders.

“Think about not sending your cheerleaders to competitions,” Snyder said. “These kids like going to competitions as much as the cheerleaders do.”

She said marching band events like an upcoming parade in DuBois and a performance at Kennywood are now up in the air.