Four years after voters approved Proposition 28, some schools across the state are giving the funds *back* to the state.
But here in the valley, reports say districts are using them.
While many districts are saying they’ve implemented or planned to use the funds, five give specific details.
Fresno Unified, Lemoore Union Elementary, Hanford Joint Union High, Merced County Office of Education and the Madera County Superintendent of Schools.
Starting in the North Valley:
- Merced County Office of Education: Used funds to agree to contracts for arts instructions and supplies through the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.
- Madera County Superintendent of Schools: Used funds for a partnership with the Madera Arts Council
In Fresno County:
- Fresno Unified: Received nearly $13 million in the 2023-24 year. This was used to create more classes and three full time teachers among other additions.
In Kings County:
- Lemoore Union Elementary: Hired a full time music teacher and expanded music access from four through eight to K through eight.
- Hanford Joint Union High: Created and added more funding to visual arts positions, switched some performing-arts positions full-time, bought equipment, and expanded performances.
Other districts report they do receive funding and implement it, but no specifics are given and exact dollar amounts aren’t provided.
For those other districts that need more clarity and returned the funds, AB 2440 was created and passed by state leaders to provide more specifics into how to implement it.
