The Atascadero Unified School District board approved the district’s Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools annual report for fiscal year 2024–25 after staff described how the funds were used and which sites expended them.

Staff overview: A district presenter said Prop 28 funds were allocated to every site based on enrollment and ADA, but that principals had discretion to expend the money subject to school site council approval. She said the fund is “extremely restrictive” and requires spending on programs above and beyond existing arts offerings, which limited some sites’ ability to use the funds last year.

Sites and use: The presenter said eight sites reported using Proposition 28 funds in 2024–25: ACE Academy (grades 9–12), Paloma Creek, Atascadero High School, Monterey Road, Santa Margarita, Santa Rosa Academic Academy, San Gabriel and San Benito. Staff said the district has a three‑year spend‑down window for Prop 28 funds and will work with principals and educational services to build sustainable plans to expend the remaining allocations.

Board action: A trustee moved to approve the Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools funding annual report and the board approved by roll call. Staff said, consistent with state rules, the approved report will be posted to the district website.

Trustees and staff discussed future evaluation of program effectiveness and district‑level metrics; staff said they will partner with educational services to develop districtwide measures of impact.