Edit: To clarify I mean to upgrade to either 21.04 or 21.10.
I found this question that is relevant, but the comments on the answers indicate that Ubuntu Desktop either is not uninstalled or that there is a serious risk of unintentionally removing needed packages or of outright bricking the machine. Obviously neither of these is ideal. I wondered if the problems might be resolved if the change were made as part of an upgrade rather than a standalone uninstallation of the desktop capabilities. I have already added most of the server components, and I no longer need the GUI capabilities which are taking up sorely needed space on the hard drive.