Written By: Owen Weems, Staff Editor, and Allurabella Chandler, Staff Writer
EXPANSION: With the money allocated through Prop 28, our VAPA teachers are making big plans for the future of Poly arts.
Passed on November 8, 2022, Proposition 28, a piece of legislation voted on by California families, is set up to be a great leap forward in arts education. Otherwise known as The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act, Prop 28 has the potential to rework art programs across the state, including here at Poly High. The additional funds provided by Prop 28 are substantial, with Poly alone receiving “somewhere around half a million dollars” per year, as long as the legislation requirements are adequately met. Poly staff, such as Mr. Enyeart, believe this money “could really do some good” for Poly arts.
All Poly arts teachers have ambitious plans for the money. It is an expansive piece of legislature that affects every VAPA class. Although some classes that may appear to be visual arts programs – Video Crew and Yearbook to mention a few – do not receive these benefits, there is no malice or ill intent behind it. They are simply considered outside the scope of the Visual and Performing Arts requirements. The administration and art departments have been careful to equitably represent all arts classes. From Ceramics to Theater, and everything in between, the arts have some big changes in store for this year.
Although this money comes as a gift to the arts, a program that has long deserved extra funding to accommodate its changes, it does not come without restrictions. While these limitations are not at all harsh, they mean that the money is going towards one thing in particular: an increase in specialized staff. According to the California Department of Education, “at least 80 percent of AMS funds to be expended [should be] used to employ certified or classified employees to provide arts education program instruction”, with the remaining 20 percent being left to training, supplies, materials, and “arts educational partnership programs”. These parameters do narrow down the usage of the money, but in no way does it diminish the excitement for the funds.
As Mrs. Walton, Poly’s Choir Director, explains, “[they] will use the funds to hire voice coaches” for the students, as well as other staff to help the program run more smoothly. “The one-on-one experience with a skilled voice coach will help the students find more enjoyment in what they do.” She explains how “skill attracts skill” and that this more expansive teaching roster will help grow the program and its possibilities. With more funding “they no longer have to worry about fundraising,” instead being able to set their sights on loftier goals and a better student environment. Mrs. Walton hopes that, given time, the choir will eventually have the opportunity to do “overnight stays” to get one-of-a-kind experiences.“ This money will help prepare students for college choir” or with any other vocal endeavors they wish to pursue.
Poly’s Band Instructor, Mrs. Hernandez, believes that if this money gets used to its fullest, it will be able to do good things. While a big part of her plan for the money is “specialized coaches for each instrument,” that is not all she has planned for the allocated music department funds. This money will also be going towards the purchase of new loaner instruments for the students. “Some of the instruments are up to 20 years old,” Mrs. Hernandez explains, “this money can allow for [them] to replace their selection with newer instruments”. The new instruments and more personalized instruction will help the Poly band reach even greater heights.
And while the visual side of the visual and performing arts will have the most to gain from the specialized instruction funds, the Fine Arts are not left feeling unappreciated. Mr. Garret, one of Poly’s Fine Arts teachers, explains that he understands the need to distribute the money coming in from Prop 28, “according to the need of each individual program”. Ceramics will be receiving a new kiln and Art will be receiving a new sink, along with new materials to remedy the low supply. Mr. Garret comments that the Theater program is in need of some extra support, so he is happy that they are getting their fair share to set them up for success. The sense of community and selflessness among the arts programs is exactly what is needed to take Proposition 28 from an amazing gift, to a truly sensational arbiter of change for Poly.
Now Prop 28 in itself is a seemingly effective piece of legislation that is sure to bring a lot of progress in the visual and performing arts, but its implementation has not been as smooth as you may expect. Proposition 28 was initially passed in 2022, with the expectation that it would be initiated in the 2023-2024 school year. Now we are in the 2024-2025 year, and operations with Prop 28 are just beginning to go underway. So why is that? It turns out that the district has initially been quite cautious in giving out the money to each respective school. Although it was officially passed into law for the previous year, the district’s reluctance to give out the money has led to its RUSD implementation being pushed to this year. This could be in part because of the audits the state runs to make sure the money is spent in accordance with the requirements laid out in Prop 28. This has caused them to be particular with all requests for funding, to the grievance of many Poly arts staff. But as Mrs. Walton put it, “now that it is here, [we] should try not to complain”. The restrictiveness of the district has put a hamper on the progress made, but now that Proposition 28 is coming into effect, we should look forward in anticipation for great years to come for VAPA at Poly High.