Investment in the Arts-Prop 28

Santa Barbara Unified: Advancing Arts Education for Every Student, Every Chance, Everyday
Santa Barbara Unified is proud to move forward with a districtwide vision for arts education, one that builds on our deep commitment to creativity, excellence, and opportunity in every school. Rooted in the 2023–2028 Strategic Arts Plan, this next phase goes beyond increasing access alone. It focuses on ensuring that all students, regardless of school site or background, experience meaningful, high-quality, and culturally responsive arts instruction.
In the last year, SBUSD has made measurable progress in expanding arts instruction across disciplines and cultivating strong partnerships with local cultural organizations. These efforts have been accelerated by two landmark funding streams:
 

• The Arts and Music Block Grant provided $7.4 million in one-time funds to enhance facilities, purchase equipment, and strengthen arts programming across all schools.
• Proposition 28 delivers ongoing, annual funding dedicated to arts education, enabling schools to grow sustainable staffing, diversify course offerings, and build long-term program infrastructure.

With these foundational investments in place, SBUSD now turns to deepening and sustaining this work through two strategic goals:

Broad Participation
Ensure that every student has regular, sequential arts instruction taught by qualified educators across multiple disciplines. This includes focused investments in staffing, facilities, instructional time, and creative partnerships—especially in schools and communities where opportunities have historically been limited.

Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Define and support outstanding arts instruction through rich, standards-based curricula, meaningful practices, and continuous professional learning. Strengthening and monitoring the impact of programs will help educators monitor progress and adapt to student interest and needs over time. Arts education is not an enrichment, it is a core component of a well-rounded education. It fosters creativity, expression, confidence, and a strong sense of self.
With the dedication of our educators, families, community partners, and students, SBUSD is committed to ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to thrive through the arts, now and into the future.

Beginning in 2023-24, California’s Proposition 28 provides additional funding for Arts Education in California Public Schools.  The amount provided to each District is based on the total student enrollment (70%) plus the amount of low-income students enrolled (30%).

Schools are required to use these funds for hiring additional new arts staff and to supplement and enhance their arts education programs.  This may include a variety of subjects, including dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts. School sites are required to develop an annual school plan for spending their Prop 28 funds, approved by the site Principal, detailing how they will expand arts instruction on each school site.  Every school receives a new 3-year allocation annually. 

Santa Barbara Unified must complete an annual Prop 28 report that includes the following information:

• The number of full-time equivalent teachers, classified personnel, and teaching aides
• The number of pupils served
• The number of school sites providing arts education programs with Prop 28 funds

You can read the SBUSD Proposition 28 Annual report by checking out the document below or by clicking the following links:

23-24 Prop 28 Arts & Music Annual Report

23-24 Prop 28
Annual Report Presentation

SBUSD Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Waiver

Memo: Approval of 23-24 Prop 28 AMS Annual Report 

SBUSD believes that the Arts (dance, media Arts, music, theater, and visual arts) are a necessary and required component for all students to develop as well-rounded, lifelong learners who contribute to the prosperity and quality of life for the Santa Barbara community. As a result, an opportunity gap analysis was conducted with the previous plan 2013-2018 and a new 2023-2028 plan was developed by the Arts Steering Committee composed of Arts lead teachers and administrators representing various grade levels and schools.

2023-28 SBUnified Strategic Arts Plan (pdf)

Proposition 28, the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act, was approved by California voters in November 2022. It provides annual funding to public and charter schools to enhance arts education programs. [See Link to SBUSD school site spending plans]
Key Elements of the Proposition 28 SBUSD School Site Plan Process:

Funding Allocation: Each school receives a specific allocation based on enrollment and the number of economically disadvantaged students.

Expenditure Plan Development: School principals are responsible for developing an annual expenditure plan detailing how the funds will be used to expand arts education. This plan should be created in collaboration with teachers, families, and students to ensure it meets the community's needs.

Use of Funds: At least 80% of the funds must be used to employ certificated or classified employees to provide arts education instruction. The remaining funds can be used for training, supplies, materials, and arts educational partnership programs.

Reporting Requirements: While the school site expenditure plans are not required to be submitted to the California Department of Education (CDE), they inform the Local Educational Agency's (LEA) annual report, which must be board-approved and posted on both the LEA and CDE websites. The LEA must also certify annually that all funds are used to supplement existing arts education programs.

Audit Compliance: Funds are subject to annual audits to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the California Department of Education's Proposition 28 page: Proposition 28—Arts and Music in Schools Funding

1) What’s the difference between the “Arts and Music Block Grant” and Prop 28 funds?

“Arts and Music Block Grant” ( Arts, Music, & Instructional Materials Block Grant from California Department of Education) is one-time monies that was distributed to school districts and could be used for any purpose. It was originally designed for the arts, but with the passing of Proposition 28, CDE allowed districts to use these funds in any way. SB Unified took the $7.4m allotment and distributed it to schools to be used to support the arts.  A district strategic arts plan was developed and taken to the Board and approved on December 13, 2024. A plan was required to be approved by the Board for the Arts, Music, & Instruction Materials (AMIM) Block Grant before disseminating and spending the funding. The plan was approved at the May 28, 2024 Board meeting and aligned to the 2023-2028 SB Unified Strategic Arts Plan. (Approval of the Arts Funding Plan)

Proposition 28 (Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding), passed by California voters in November 2022, mandates an annual allocation of funding, approximately $1 billion statewide, for arts and music education in public schools, without raising taxes. The funds come from the state’s existing Prop 98 education funding.

• Use of Funds: Must be used for arts education (visual arts, music, dance, theater, and media arts). This includes teacher salaries, instructional materials, and arts program support.
• Allocation Formula to District and Schools: 70% is distributed based on student enrollment, and 30% is targeted to schools serving higher numbers of low-income students.
• Staffing Requirement: Schools must use at least 80% of their allocation to hire certificated or classified staff to teach the arts.
• Local Control: Funds will be distributed directly to schools, giving principals authority, along with input from teachers and staff, on how best to use the money within the legal requirements.
• Accountability: The District is required to submit an Annual Certification (available during the current school year to complete by June 30th) and an Annual Report (available between May 1 and September 30 of each school year). This annual report must be board approved, submitted to the CDE through the Arts and Music in Schools Portal, and posted to the LEA's website. The mandated information for this report includes: The number of full-time equivalent teachers, classified personnel, and teaching aides, the number of pupils served, and the number of school sites providing arts education programs with AMS funds. 

The purpose is to ensure that every student in California has equitable access to high-quality arts education as part of a well-rounded curriculum.

2) What is the point of Prop 28 money?

Proposition 28 funding is intended to increase access to arts and music education in California public schools by providing dedicated annual funding that cannot be used for other purposes. Its goal is to expand arts instruction, especially in schools serving high numbers of low-income students.

3) When will the District and schools know our amount of funding they will receive for the upcoming school year?

Each year, AMS funding for schools is estimated in July using earlier enrollment data and the current state budget. The California Department of Education updates these estimates in February and finalizes the amounts in June. For example, funding for the 2025–26 school year will be estimated in July 2025, updated in February 2026, and finalized in June 2026.

4) What type of arts programs can these funds be used for?

"Arts education program" includes, but is not limited to, instruction and training, supplies, materials, and arts educational partnership programs for instruction in dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts including folk art, painting, sculpture, photography, craft arts, creative expression including graphic arts and design, computer coding, animation, music composition, performing ensembles, script writing, costume design, film, and video.

5) Allowable vs. Non-Allowable Expenses

Allowable (Compliant Uses)

• Hiring new arts teachers, instructional aides, or classified arts staff
• Funding salaries and benefits for added positions including:

1. Up to a full-time position teaching arts classes
2. Adding a zero or seven period class to teach an arts class 
3. Adding an arts class during a teacher’s conference/prep period

(#2 and #3 is based upon the teacher’s desire to teach an additional class and be compensated)

• Purchasing arts-specific materials, instruments, and software. 
• Professional development directly related to arts instruction. 
• Partnering with third-party arts organizations (e.g., artist residencies) 

6) Non-Allowable (Out of Compliance)

• Using funds to pay for pre-existing staff or programs.
• Administrative salaries unrelated to arts instruction
• Facilities upgrades or capital improvements (e.g., building renovations)
• General school supplies not directly tied to arts instruction.

7) How are we expanding and supplementing arts education with Prop 28 money?

• Establishment of a Folklorico Pathway at Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School, supported by one Full-Time Equivalent Teacher.
• Increase in hours for the Theater Technician position from 6 to 8 hours at Santa Barbara High School and Dos Pueblos High School.
• Increase in the Music teacher at La Colina Junior High School from a .8 to a full-time 1.0 equivalent status.
• Introduction of Visual Arts Instruction at Santa Barbara Community Academy and McKinley Elementary.

8) If 80% is only for staffing how are we using it for more people?

School sites are joining forces with their Arts Teams and parent communities to strategically determine which arts disciplines to expand. The following plans have been developed under the leadership of site principals and Arts Leads to align with student interests and Proposition 28 funding priorities.

• A full-time Dance teacher is to be introduced at San Marcos High School. The position is currently being advertised for the 2025-26 school year.
• One section, or period of Dance instruction at Dos Pueblos High School. 
• Folklórico instruction at Santa Barbara Junior High has seen significant growth, with the number of course sections increasing from one to two in response to the rising student interest.

9) Are we using Prop 28 for the Arts TOSA position?

No, Prop 28 is not funding the TOSA position.

10) Can we use prop 28 for STEAM?

Proposition 28 funds are restricted to expanding arts education and may only be used to hire teachers when the primary focus is instruction in the arts, as defined by the California Department of Education.

Allowed Uses
Prop 28 supports instruction in:

• Dance
• Media Arts (e.g., graphic design, digital animation, creative coding)
• Music
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

STEAM courses may qualify only if:

• The teacher is credentialed or qualified in arts education, and
• The course is grounded in California’s arts standards (creating, performing, responding, and connecting through the arts)

Example (Allowed):
A digital media course using coding to create animations aligned to visual or media arts standards.
It is important to highlight that SBUSD's existing STEAM programs do not satisfy the requirements for inclusion under the guidance of Proposition 28. This is because our STEAM programs’ focus is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, rather than the California Arts Standards.
Not Allowed

• Courses primarily focused on STEM, general computer science, or engineering
• Teachers whose instruction is not standards-based in the arts
• Programs labeled “STEAM” that do not meet arts education criteria

Why It Matters
Proper use of Prop 28 ensures legal compliance and honors its purpose: to protect and expand dedicated funding for arts instruction. This clarity maintains both program integrity and student access to high-quality arts education.

11) Can an arts walk-on coach (i.e. drumline coach, hip-hop coach, etc) be paid for out of Prop 28?

The 80% of Prop 28 funding will not count towards hiring a walk-on coach, because they are not considered Classified staffing.

12) Can I use more than my 80% for staffing?

Yes, 80% is the minimum amount to be used for staffing at a school or a shared-schools position.

13) Was Prop 28 funding distributed to schools in 2023-24 and this year, 2024-25?

2023–24 School Year:

• SBUSD was notified of its first Prop 28 funding apportionment in February 2024
• Due to delays in state policy implementation and funding distribution, the district did not expend any Prop 28 funds during the 2023–24 fiscal year.
• In July 2024, SBUSD submitted a waiver request to allocate 100% of the 2023–24 funds toward high-quality arts supplies. This waiver was approved by the California Department of Education.

2024–25 School Year:

• $7 million in Arts & Music Block Grant funds were distributed to schools. Given the larger, time-sensitive amount, the Block Grant was prioritized, which required coordinated effort to manage across all sites. While focusing on the Block Grant, some schools also used Prop 28 funds to enhance programs—such as establishing a Folklórico pathway at three schools, increasing Theater Technician hours at two high schools, expanding the music position at La Colina, and adding visual arts at two elementary sites.
• For 2025–26, schools are preparing to add positions including a full-time Dance teacher at San Marcos High and a Dance course at Dos Pueblos. With most Block Grant funds now spent or committed, schools will access Prop 28 funds from 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025–26. Remaining 2023–24 funds will support non-staffing needs, and a waiver will be submitted to apply unspent 2024–25 funds similarly.

14) Will the District lose its Prop 28 funds if it doesn’t spend all of them on staffing right now?

No. The District will not lose the funds. Prop 28 requires districts to show progress in expanding arts staffing and student participation over time. It allows flexibility, recognizing challenges like hiring shortages or existing arts investments, and supports thoughtful, phased implementation. 

15) What’s the average amount of Prop 28 allotment to schools?

An average annual amount allotted to elementary schools is $61,000; junior high schools is $104,000; and high school is $314,000.

16) What is the plan for using Proposition 28 funding moving into the 2025-26 School Year?

To prepare for the 2025–26 school year, we are working with school leaders and arts educators to ensure Proposition 28: Arts and Music in Schools Act funds are used effectively and in compliance with state requirements. We are providing targeted support and training to help school teams identify needs, set priorities, and develop spending plans. The District Arts Steering Committee will meet on May 29 to review site plans and the draft districtwide Prop 28 plan, ensuring alignment and clarity. A final plan, including funding allocations for each school, will be completed by June 13, 2025.

17) Do we have an inventory of our current arts education programming and expenditures?

SBUSD maintains a living, site-level inventory of arts and music programming, staffing, and expenditures by discipline. This system allows ongoing, data-informed decisions for Proposition 28 investments and supports strategic planning in collaboration with site arts teams.

Identified Opportunity Gaps

Elementary Schools

• Dance, Theatre, Media Arts: Implemented through in- and out-of-school partnership opportunities.
• Music: Staffing vacancies at Cleveland and SBCA/TK–3 (to be filled in 2025–26)
• Visual Art: Vacancies at Harding and Monroe (to be filled in 2025–26)
  
  Junior High Schools
• Dance: Not currently offered at Goleta Valley, La Colina, or La Cumbre
• Theatre Stagecraft/Media Arts: Limited availability; Media Arts only offered at GVJH
• Instrumental Music: Enrollment growth needed at La Cumbre and SBJH
• Vocal Music: Not offered as a standalone course

High Schools

• Dance: New Prop 28-funded positions launching at SMHS and DPHS in 2025–26
• Theatre/Stagecraft: Gaps remain at SMHS and DPHS
• Media Arts: Expansion planned at SMHS in 2025–26
• Instrumental Music: SBHS needs targeted enrollment support; growth underway

Next Steps
To address these gaps, SBUSD will expand outreach, increase introductory course offerings, and strengthen pathway alignment across grade levels, particularly in music.

18) When does the Board and the public get a report on Prop 28 and the Arts Strategic Plan?

We will be bringing the Prop 28 Annual Report for review and approval at the July 22nd meeting, with an update about the Arts Strategic Plan.

19) When will the Board have information on what we have accomplished so far with the strategic arts plan?

We will include this information as part of the Prop 28 annual report to the Board.

20) You have said that we are already fully staffed in the arts and music -- but Goal 4 of the strategic arts plan is all about staffing -- and it looks like the group had plans to hire additional FTE.

Another ex -- Goal 3: Provide instruction in all 5 Arts disciplines (Music, Visual Art, Theatre, Dance & Media) with highly qualified educators in Grades K-8. Align FTEs according to K-8 Feeder Pathway.

Yes, please see question #18 as we continue to address both Goals 3 and 4.

21) How are school administrators involved in making decisions around Prop 28?

To support site-level decision-making, the district issued an "Arts Funding Accountability Plans" memo directing principals to:

• Convene site arts teams
• Gather feedback from SSC and EMLAC
• Submit final plans by April 15, 2024

Plans are reviewed by the District Arts Steering Committee for alignment with the Strategic Arts Plan, then submitted to leadership and the Board for approval. This ensures local input and compliance with district and state expectations.

22) Can we use PROP 28 to hire STEAM teachers?
Proposition 28 funds are restricted to expanding arts education and may only be used to hire teachers when the primary focus is instruction in the arts, as defined by the California Department of Education.

Allowed Uses

Prop 28 supports instruction in:

• Dance
• Media Arts (e.g., graphic design, digital animation, creative coding)
• Music
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

STEAM courses may qualify only if:

• The teacher is credentialed or qualified in arts education, and
• The course is grounded in California’s arts standards (creating, performing, responding, and connecting through the arts)

Example (Allowed):
A digital media course using coding to create animations aligned to visual or media arts standards.

It is important to highlight that SBUSD's existing STEAM programs do not satisfy the requirements for inclusion under the guidance of Proposition 28. This is because our STEAM programs’ focus is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, rather than the California Arts Standards.

Not Allowed

• Courses primarily focused on STEM, general computer science, or engineering
• Teachers whose instruction is not standards-based in the arts
• Programs labeled “STEAM” that do not meet arts education criteria

Why It Matters

Proper use of Prop 28 ensures legal compliance and honors its purpose: to protect and expand dedicated funding for arts instruction. This clarity maintains both program integrity and student access to high-quality arts education.

23) I am looking at the 23-24 Prop 28 report on the website. It is only one page. Can you please send me the rest of this report?

The 2023–24 Proposition 28 Annual Report, which is one page, is available on the SBUSD website. It outlines our general arts education planning and investment amounts made this year.  View the report: https://www.sbunified.org/about/investment-in-the-arts-prop-28

24) What is the timeline for the 24-25 Prop 28 report to the board?

Per CDE guidelines, the 2024–25 Proposition 28 Annual Report must be:

• Board approved
• Submitted to the CDE 
• Posted to the district website

Key Dates:

• By June 30, 2025: Annual Certification due
• By September 30, 2025: Final report submitted to CDE
• Summer 2025: SBUSD will finalize site data and bring a draft report to the Board for approval

Report Must Include:

• Number of FTE arts staff funded
• Number of students served
• Number of school sites offering arts education

This ensures transparency, compliance, and demonstrates how Prop 28 is expanding access across SBUSD.

25) Who is determining how we are spending Prop 28 funding? Is it based on the strategic arts plan?

This question is addressed in Questions #18 and #21, with additional context provided in Question #19.

• Question #18 outlines how Prop 28 funds are being used to expand staffing in alignment with the Strategic Arts Plan, including specific FTE increases and discipline expansions.
• Question #21 details how site administrators lead planning with arts educators, SSCs, and advisory input, using a structured district process.

26) How did each site determine how they were going to spend their allocation of the Block Grant?

This question is directly addressed in the response to Question #18, the process for 2024–25 Block Grant and Prop 28 rollout is described, including the timeline, use of funds, and early staffing actions.

27) How do we ensure that resources in the community don't overlap with what the district is spending money on?

To avoid duplication and strengthen impact, SBUSD aligns Prop 28-funded school-based arts staffing with community arts resources.

• Community partners provide after-school programs, residencies, and enrichment that complement in-school instruction.
• We’ve established MOUs and clear roles to prevent overlap and guide collaboration.
• Shared planning helps identify where partners can enhance engagement, such as family events or weekend programming.
• After meeting the 80% staffing requirement, remaining funds may support joint professional learning, shared equipment, or collaborative projects.

This ensures compliance while maximizing the value of both district and community contributions to arts education.

28) If a certain amount of money is allocated, for example 2024-25, and spent on a new program, such as the Folklórico dance, the funds allocated have a three-year term. Can the initial allocation continue to be spent on Folklórico dance for three years given the supplement, not supplant limitation?

Prop 28 provides ongoing annual funding from the state and is not one-time funding. This means positions established with Prop 28 funding, such as a Folklórico dance teacher, are expected to be sustained year to year using each new annual allocation. The three-year term refers only to the timeframe allowed to spend any unspent funds from a given year. For example, 2023–24 funds must be spent by the end of the 2025–26 school year. Prop 28 funds can fully support new or expanded arts positions on an ongoing basis without supplanting concerns.

29) Could we use Prop 28 funds to reintroduce 7th Period in our Junior High Schools?

We can use Prop 28 funds to pay an arts or music teacher to teach an additional class during Zero Period or 7th Period, as long as the teacher agrees to take on the extra assignment. If the school wants to reinstate 7th Period for all students, the cost of offering non-arts/music classes during that period would need to be funded through General Funds.