Vicky Martinez, a mother of three LAUSD students in the Highland Park area, is deeply disappointed by the lack of arts education at her children’s schools, despite state funding through Proposition 28. She believes that exposure to the arts could help her kids manage their anxiety and ADHD, conditions that have become more prevalent post-pandemic. Martinez’s frustration is shared by many parents who are outraged by the situation.
In response to the misuse of funds for arts education, Martinez and the families of eight students, including her three sons, have taken legal action against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and its superintendent, Alberto Carvalho. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that LAUSD has violated the law by mismanaging Proposition 28 funds, particularly at low-income schools, which has disproportionately affected Black and Latino students.
Former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner, who authored Proposition 28, stated that the district’s actions are harming hundreds of thousands of students by depriving them of the arts education they are entitled to under the law. The lawsuit also claims that LAUSD has been misleading the public in its handling of the funds.
LAUSD has denied any wrongdoing, stating that they are following the implementation guidance provided by the state of California to ensure compliance with Proposition 28. However, Beutner and several major unions, including UTLA and SEIU Local 99, are supporting the lawsuit as a means of holding the district accountable for its spending.
The lawsuit highlights the importance of arts education in promoting academic and social benefits for students. The law was designed to increase arts funding and hire new arts teachers, with schools required to spend at least 80% of the funds on staff. However, the plaintiffs allege that LAUSD has been misinterpreting the law and failing to meet these requirements.
Arts education advocates are calling for greater transparency in how schools are using the Proposition 28 funds. Some districts have successfully implemented new arts education programs, while others have misused the funds to pay existing staff. The disparity in funding utilization underscores the need for oversight and accountability in the system.
Parents like Martinez are advocating for a more active role in decision-making regarding the use of arts education funds. They believe that arts education is crucial for student development, especially for those from low-income backgrounds. With mounting pressure on LAUSD to address the issues surrounding Proposition 28, the focus is on ensuring that the funds are put to good use to benefit students across the district.
