Pittsburg Unified School District's Arts and Music in Schools Plan: Prop 28
Prop 28 Arts and Music in Schools Plan
Pittsburg Unified School District - Prop 28 Arts Expansion Report
Pittsburg Unified School District used the Prop 28 opportunity to expand art opportunities across all schools as much as possible. The elementary school sites all selected arts as the area where they wanted to expand (all elementary schools already had music teachers). We hired four elementary arts teachers who worked across all eight elementary schools. One of the three junior high schools was able to find teachers to increase their arts classes. Pittsburg High School expanded its arts-related offerings to include Digital Arts, an additional art class to meet student interest, and a new Folklorico Dance class.
We were unable to find staffing for two of the junior high schools and for our continuation high school; however, staffing for these sites is secured for the 2024-2025 school year. All sites, with teacher input, also agreed to contribute to a Teacher on Special Assignment to specifically support all arts across the district. We hired a long-term theater teacher who has been involved in the California Arts Standards. She supported new teachers, assisted with curriculum development for new courses, and connected with the California Arts Project. Our Board approved an MOU with the California Arts Project to provide professional development for teachers on the California Arts Standards and to develop a strategic plan for arts integration across PUSD.
Pittsburg Unified School District's Arts and Music in Schools funding allocation for 2023-2024 was approximately $1,872,411, distributed annually to individual schools based on student enrollment. Carryover funds are allowed for up to three school years. For 2023-2024, PUSD focused on hiring staff, with approximately 20% of funds carried over for non-personnel needs. For schools that could not hire, those funds will be redistributed to meet the 80% staffing requirement and to support additional non-personnel needs.
PUSD's Parcel Tax in support of arts, music, and athletics expires in June 2024. Some arts and music positions may continue under Prop 28 funding, pending audit approval, to replace music positions previously funded by the Parcel Tax.
