The Slow Rollout: Prop 28 by

Russ Sperling

Back in November we were so excited about what would be happening this fall with the passage of Proposition 28! And we still are, but as you are probably aware, the California Department of Education has not yet released the actual final allocations for schools (as of early June), and many of us believe this will probably not happen for several months.

I have some suggestions for our headspace on this now:

• Breathe. The money is going to come—it has to by law. It’s just taking longer than we expected.

• Use the slow rollout to our advantage. Let’s make sure that district admin and principals are being strategic about how best to use the funds for greatest impact.

• By the way, let me be real: it might not be “best” for the funds to be allocated dominantly for your music program. How are dance and theatre doing on your site? How do students want to engage in art at your school? Has anybody asked them?

• The slow rollout is advantageous in the environment of a teacher shortage.

• Are you ready to help the new teachers?

I think it’s going to take several years for the public education system to absorb these new funds to their best use. We all need to pay attention and contribute our expertise on behalf of the students we serve.