Parents and students urge Bellflower Unified to use Prop 28 funds to save Mayfair marching corps

Parents and student leaders urged the Bellflower Unified School District board to fund staff and equipment for the Mayfair Monsoon marching corps using Prop 28 arts dollars, saying current boosters and families shoulder much of the program’s costs.

Maria Garcia, a parent, told the board the marching band, color guard and winter guard offer students more than pastime activities: “These programs do so much more than keep students busy. They truly transform their middle school and high school experience and help them develop essential life skills.” Students, including Alyssa Garcia and junior Haley Chin, described coaches being paid by booster groups and said Prop 28 money is instead going to new programs, leaving established programs unsupported.

Student captain Alyssa Garcia asked the board to prioritize field-season funding so students who train for competition continue to have that experience instead of being reduced to pep-band activities. “Prop 28 is not being used to its fullest,” she said, and warned that shifting to parade-only participation would remove competitive opportunities that alumni remember and current students value.

Speakers asked the board to fund specific positions and costs — caption heads, visual coaches, percussion and color-guard staff, props, instruments and travel — and to ensure access for students who cannot pay booster fees. Christina Tuich, speaking as a parent and booster board member, listed a wish list of staff roles she hopes the district will subsidize through Prop 28 rather than rely exclusively on fees.

Board President Garza asked Superintendent Dr. Simon to follow up with the group and report back to the board with more information, a step parents had requested. The board did not take action on the funding request during the meeting; the superintendent agreed to investigate and provide details to the board and parents.