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District outlines use of Prop 28 funds to expand music, buy instruments and staff a shared music teacher
Summary
District presenter said the district received about $97,000 in Prop 28 funds, used roughly half to hire a shared music teacher (split with Parkview Middle) and to buy instruments, theater materials and start-up music programming that will expand band instruction down to sixth grade.
The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District outlined how it has used and plans to spend California Proposition 28 arts funding, with staff saying the district received about $97,000 and has prioritized hiring and equipment to expand music and theater instruction.
District presenter Mr. Mead told the board Prop 28 — approved in November 2022 and tied to Prop 98 — operates on a three‑year cycle and requires most funding be spent on direct arts/music instruction. “For Sika, we had approximately $97,000 that we received. Fifty percent of that went to our new music teacher, that we are sharing with Parkview Middle School,” he said, adding purchases included instruments, a music‑teacher contract and theater start‑up materials.
The presenter said the investment has allowed the district to create a band program and to expand music instruction into sixth grade; the district has also purchased instruments, musical‑theater materials and classroom technology such as cameras and graphic tablets to support music, yearbook and video production programs. He added that many sixth graders will now have access to choir and band experiences.
Board members asked how the district will involve fifth graders in the transition. Administration said purchase orders are in place so fifth graders can choose an instrument to try during music classes this year, helping them be prepared for sixth‑grade band instruction. “So every student will get to choose an instrument that they’d like to try during their fifth grade year,” the presenter said.
The district said funds are being used to sustain existing programs (music and art) and to expand offerings and electives; the presenter described the investments as one part of an annual report the board will continue to review. No formal vote was required on the Prop 28 information item.
Board members expressed support for the expansion, noting the high cost of instruments and the benefits of shared contracts to stretch funds. The district said it would continue reporting back to the board at future meetings on program implementation and staffing.
The next step is regular reporting to the board on outcomes and continued planning for sustaining the program beyond the Prop 28 cycle.
