Massive changes to spell placement across levels and schools also alter the game beyond recognition.

Which game? SOD is already unrecognizable in HotA (to varying degrees for everyone). Why not be bolder?
The fact that Haste and Slow are at level 1, while things like quicksand, minefields, and elemental protection/weakness are at levels 2-4 – that’s 100% garbage.
I think it’s perfectly logical to balance things by rearranging them by level.
And in general, I would prefer a clearer and more understandable logical approach to changes over chasing some abstract idea of “classicism.”
Because, honestly, for an innocent suggestion to allow the Witch and the Scholar to forgo a skill, the response is – no, that’s not classic, it’s not atmospheric...