The issue; Boitz has accepted an interview at another school, and parents and students don't want him to leave.

"The excellence of Saratoga's music department is due to the dedication of music director Michael Boitz," said Maureen Barton, the first parent to address the board. "He gives 150 percent every day and shows unbridled support and dedication to the students." Overwhelming applause followed both Barton's two minutes and every speaker who followed.

The goal of the speakers was to keep the message positive and focused on the qualities that make Boitz a great teacher as opposed to the personnel issues that some believe to be the reason Boitz is considering leaving. According to Barton, they wanted to "let the board know that this man is worth fighting for. The fact that he could leave and go somewhere else is awful. I've been in education for 20 years and I've never seen a teacher of that quality," she said.

"I have two children in music," said parent Madeline Morrow, "and Mr. Boitz goes above and beyond the call of duty."

Students also testified to Botiz's dedication, saying he spends countless hours with them outside of class, doing the job of two teachers. "He gives his all, his heart and soul," senior Nanid Sathe said. "For someone who gives so much to the community, it should be our job to give something back."

"Without him our music department sucks," senior Amy Chaeng said. "He cares about the students and spends time with them outside of class," added senior Charlie Tuttle.

Since Boitz came to Saratoga High School eight years ago, the music department has grown exponentially. And with that growth, Boitz's responsibilities have grown.

Students said this past year the extra hours and responsibilities have taken a toll on Boitz's physical health. But they said that even when Boitz was sick he still worked eight or more hours a day.

To the students, Boitz is more than their teacher. He writes college recommendations for many them, and students testified that not only have they learned a lot about music from him, he's also helped them to grow as individuals. Nanid said that Boitz is "very in tune to what we're doing as a student body." And in order to relate better to the students, he recently started trying to use their slang, Nanid said.

Whether Boitz will leave Saratoga is still uncertain. Principal Jeff Anderson was unable to comment on the situation because it involved personnel issues, which he said he is working to resolve.