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San Juan Unified details Prop 28 spending, new arts programs and staffing challenges
Summary
District staff told the board that Proposition 28 funding has expanded K–12 arts offerings and hiring but noted persistent vacancies, a required 80% staffing allocation, and a June 30 deadline for the first expenditure period; staff outlined supports, waivers and community partnerships.
Sarah Brown, San Juan Unified’s program specialist for visual and performing arts and physical education, told the school board the district has used Proposition 28 funds to expand elementary and secondary arts instruction and to add courses such as dance, media arts and theater. "With the implementation of Prop 28, the number of arts teachers has significantly increased, expanding access to arts education for students in our elementary and K–8 schools," Brown said.
Brown explained that Prop 28 requires that at least 80% of funds be used to employ certificated or classified staff to provide arts instruction, with the remaining funds available for materials, training and community partnerships. She told the board the first expenditure period for Prop 28 funds expires on June 30 and that unspent funds must be reported to the California Department of Education and returned.
Brown highlighted local examples funded or expanded under Prop 28: a TK–5 theater program at Green Oaks Elementary that integrates theater and English language arts standards, and a co‑taught music appreciation course at Mira Loma High School that integrates general education students and those in special‑day classes. She credited site staff, volunteers and community partners for those programs and described the district’s Prop 28 budget planning tool and virtual office hours for site administrators.
At the same time, Brown described hiring and retention challenges. During the 2024–25 school year the district had “approximately 12 percent” vacancy in elementary and K–8 specialist art positions, and roughly 30% of elementary and K–8 arts teachers were in induction. Citing statewide analysis, she said California will need to increase the arts teacher workforce by more than 5,000 teachers to meet demand.
Board members asked for details about allocation and flexibility. Brown said state allocations are based mainly on enrollment with additional funding for economically disadvantaged students, and confirmed a locally‑approved waiver can allow sites to contract with community partners or to use funds for materials and partnerships when staffing is not yet fully in place.
The presentation closed with an emphasis on professional learning and partnerships. Brown said the district is collaborating with higher education and the Sacramento County Office of Education on teacher residency and recruitment options, and will continue supports for early‑career arts teachers through coaching and professional learning.
Next steps: the district will continue Prop 28 implementation, monitor vacancies, and work with site leaders on budget plans and waivers. The update was informational; the board did not take a policy vote on Prop 28 itself.
