District arts plan spotlights transdisciplinary projects; board approves Prop 28 contract for classroom arts

Dr. Lancaster told the board the district’s Strategic Arts Plan and the City of Healdsburg’s Arts & Culture Master Plan are now aligned and moveable into active implementation, including guest lessons at elementary campuses and a multi-year river watershed mapping project. He described transdisciplinary assignments (soil-sourced ceramics, an integrated systemic painting project, a river-mapping book, and an "empty desks" installation intended to honor school-shooting victims) as examples of art integrated with science, history and community projects.

On funding, administrators proposed using Prop 28 funds to pay for visiting arts fellows and enrichment coaches. Speaker 5 said Prop 28 provides roughly $65,000 annually for the district but that the contract presented for approval runs about $55,000 for a September–February rotation of 6–8 week units in dance, theater and music, delivered twice weekly for 45-minute lessons. "This takes us from September to February…we didn't spend any of the 65,000 last year," an administrator said; trustees discussed waiver rules and the requirement that certificated teachers be present. The board moved, seconded and approved the Prop 28/Avelo contract at the meeting.

Dr. Lancaster and students described community outcomes (public installations, native-plant campaigns with QR-coded plaques, CTE summer projects and a planned 17-foot dory for river work) and cited strong volunteer and Rotary support for campus planting and outreach. Staff said further rollouts of arts integration will be coordinated with principals and the district arts plan.