I have been a dance teacher for 22 years. I specialize in jazz, lyrical and technique classes. Recently I took a Directors position at a studio. The studio was once a top training facility with a Ballet company. The ballet company still exists and is as strong as ever. They relocated to a new city 5-6 years ago. The studio was left to be run by a Board of directors, and run it they did...into the ground. The ballet dept. is much more stable. The jazz was a joke, I have worked very hard this year to bring it up to an acceptable level. I have made great strides and good progress. There are still quite a few kinks to work out, but I know it will take alot of time, patience and determination. I also had staffing problems which caused me a great deal of stress. I did not take on the director role until September, so many decisions regarding staff and scheduling were already done. So, now I have been approached by the board to become the Artistic Director. What a great opportunity, one I have always wanted. The problem is the Ballet Director. She is very set in her ways and see's all other dance forms as fillers. Her opinion of hip hop cannot be printed on these pages!!! she does her schedule without speaking to the rest of the staff and is unwilling to make adjustments. This has resulted in limiting our programs. It seems to me that as long as her end is covered, all is well. My thoughts are that we should all sit down together, discuss students, scheduling, outlook and plans and goals for the next year. Only then should it be committed to paper. I have students who will not be able to start Lyrical this year because of the scheduling. She has many good qualities as a teacher, but she really likes to take over regardless of the outcome and effect on others. This is why I am having a hard time deciding on the position. The board also wants me to come up with a salary. I am currently paid a yearly salary. I just need help with an amount. If I were to take the job, I would be sure to set guidelines outlining my position and the responsibilities that go hand in hand with being an Artistic Director. I look forward to your responses....

Being the "new kid on the block" and being asked to be Artistic Director over another teacher who is established already has put you in a difficult position with her. Why didn't the board ask the ballet teacher to be artistic director? Or did she turn it down? Everyone should meet together and outline duties/responsibilities and have a mission statement for the school to follow. If you are to be the Artistic Director, you are the one who decides the artistic direction the school will take along with the Board.

As for money, it depends on the size of the school/company and what they can afford.

For the money, maybe it is better not to ask for a certain amount, but for a certain percentage of raise each year.

Go for the meeting with the complete staff. Make clear where you want to go to, what your plans are, what you expect from your staff. Also make clear that anyone is free to leave if they don't approve for the new plans. But if they decide to stay you demand 100% support of your plans.
Tell this to the complete staff as a general thing.

I don't know how many teachers there are, but if possible: meet everyone in private after this meeting. It is easier for them to say what they really think when it is not in a group. And now you can see how the ballet teacher feels about your plans. If she is not willing to go your way, that is the moment to give her the option to leave voluntarily, or you will fire her.
Give her some time after this to make up her mind, and if she is not quiting, take her private again: "So, you decided to stay and you will support my plans? Thank you. I will keep you to that."