Teachers and parents urge board to restore parcel‑tax materials funding and probe Prop 28 allocations after cuts to advanced arts courses

Multiple teachers, parents and students told the board they believe restricted parcel‑tax funds (Measure D/C/K) were reduced and then backfilled with Prop 28 or other funds, which they said is supplanting the restricted local funds and violates voter intent. Molly Lunabas (art teacher at CASA) told the board the business office "unilaterally cut long-standing materials funding for VAPA, swept nearly $50,000 of restricted parcel tax carryover to pay administrative positions," and later used Prop 28 to backfill cuts.

Krista O'Connor, representing the Petaluma Federation of Teachers (Vice President, High School), and Todd Seiders (chief negotiator, Petaluma Federation of Teachers) raised parallel concerns about compensation and staffing, noting teachers are entering a second year without a renewed contract and urging fair settlements.

Several Casa Grande teachers and students — including Josie Richter, Johanna Hagler (incoming junior) and others — described the removal of AP Art 3 and similar advanced arts classes as a significant loss. Richter said cuts removed a multi‑year pathway that students planned for, while Hagler said removing AP Art 3 "significantly limits opportunities for students seeking to advance their artistic education."

District staff responded with a technical explanation: the parcel tax (Measure D) was overspent and the board earlier approved reductions resulting in a net drop in elementary VAPA/music FTE (1.2 FTE reduced by board vote and 1.0 paid previously from one‑time carryover). Staff described how Prop 28 allocations are site specific (example given: 3 sections at Petaluma High, 5 at Casa Grande) and said they had not yet met with Casa Grande to confirm which secondary sections are tagged to Prop 28 and whether any reductions would constitute supplanting. The superintendent and finance staff said a forensic review of how carryover and allocations were used took place internally and that staff will provide updated carryover estimates in July and audited actuals later in the summer.

Public commenters asked the board to order an independent financial investigation into the business office's use of Prop 28 and parcel‑tax funds. Commenters also requested that, if classes cannot be maintained long‑term, the district implement phase‑in or transition plans so current students can complete pathways. Board members committed to follow-up: staff will meet with Casa Grande to identify which sections are the Prop 28–tagged offerings, and the district will provide a written update in mid‑July on carryover and potential restoration options.

Next steps: staff said they will meet with Casa Grande principal, clarify which secondary sections are covered by Prop 28, and provide a written update in mid‑July and additional detail for the July board meeting about carryover and possible temporary restorations.