Washington Unified staff explained Sept. 25 how the state’s Proposition 28 funding is being used to expand visual and performing arts (VAPA) for TK–8 students and how the district plans to build toward more equitable access across sites.

Assistant Superintendent Autry Streak told trustees Prop 28 — approved by California voters in 2022 — guarantees roughly 1% of the state’s minimum guarantee for arts instruction and is intended to reduce inequities in arts access. By statute, about 80% of a school’s allocation should be spent on personnel to provide regular instruction, while the remaining 20% can be used for materials, professional learning or field trips. The district applied for and received a waiver for the 2023–24 allocation to allow greater flexibility this year.

Streak and principals outlined current site offerings. District schools have added partial FTE positions and shared staff (for example, 0.5 FTE at one school shared with another). Middle school electives generally run as single-period electives; at many K–8 sites elective offerings depend on enrollment and master-schedule constraints. Band at some sites meets twice weekly (about two hours per week) while other schools provide visual-arts rotation or after-school experiences, staff said.

Trustees asked how the district will close inequities — for example, some middle-school bands receive daily instruction at traditional middle schools while K–8 sites may offer band only twice a week or not at all. Streak said district staff will work with principals to build site plans, examine facilities and consider creative scheduling and after-school options; staff said the district will return with a more detailed plan in January.

Trustees also asked about reporting; schools must report to the state how many staff are paid with Prop 28 funds and how many students benefit. Streak said unused allocations roll over for up to three years and reminded the board that, by rule, Prop 28 money cannot supplant preexisting arts positions funded prior to the 2023–24 allocations.

Ending: Staff committed to return with a district plan in January and to work with sites on facilities, scheduling and culturally relevant offerings to increase equitable access to music, theater and visual arts.