Proposition 28, the ballot initiative approved by voters in 2022, directs nearly $1 billion a year to California's K-12 schools to expand their arts education programs such as music, dance, theater, painting and photography. But now that those funds are rolling out, powerful labor unions and proponents of the measure, including the California Teachers Assn. and former L.A Unified School District Supt.
was among dozens of districts they believe to be misusing arts funds. These are troubling allegations. Although critics have not named the other districts because they have not verified those claims, they say they have documented misuse by the administrators deny the claims, but they owe it to the public to provide clear and detailed documentation showing how exactly how the Proposition 28 funds are being used. Proposition 28 requires that a portion of California's general fund, equal to 1% of the minimum state funding levels for K-12 schools and community colleges, be set aside to expand visual and performing arts education programs. The law is exceedingly clear that this money must be spent to increase arts education programs.