Schools get easier access to arts funds, but LAUSD faces suit over alleged misspending

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Set us as preferred More state money to pay for arts teachers will reach local schools if legislation signed Sunday by Gov.Gavin Newsom works out as intended, but the new law will not resolve a lawsuit accusing the Los Angeles school district of misspending as much as $77 million in its share of the funding.

The aim of Assembly Bill 2440 is to encourage more school systems to use arts funding made available through Proposition 28, which voters passed in November 2022.“The clear message we heard was that many school districts have been struggling to navigate legal ambiguity regarding compliance with Proposition 28,” said bill author Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hills Estates) in a recent statement to The Times.

He said his goal was to provide “statewide guidance” so that all or most school systems could use the money without concern over violations of spending rules that could result in financial penalties.Proposition 28 sets aside an amount equal to 1% of the state’s base education funding — close to $1 billion per year — to increase arts education.

This extra funding is drawn down from the state’s general fund — so it adds to the total allotted for education.The initial funding, nearly a billion dollars statewide, went out for the 2023-24 school year and has continued annually.

But millions of dollars have not yet been spent, according to early reviews of the data.Some local officials said they were holding back over concerns that they would inadvertently violate the rules for spending the money — and would then have to pay it back, creating significant financial risk.

This bill had backing from arts organizations, education and school district officials and the California Teachers Assn.No opposition was recorded in the legislative record; nor were there any opposing votes as the bill worked its way throu...