The Fight for Elementary School Arts Funding

by Dan Chang

As the battle for arts funding in Los Angeles schools rages on, one thing has become painfully clear: Boardmember Scott Mark Schmerelson has failed to protect the interests of Valley schools. Under his watch, the Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s office has diverted crucial arts funds meant for our local elementary schools, leaving them shortchanged and our children underserved. I’m running for LAUSD School Board to bring a fresh, transparent approach to ensure that every student receives the arts education they deserve.

When Proposition 28 was passed by voters just two years ago, it promised to provide consistent and equitable funding for arts education. These funds were meant to expand arts programs, not just maintain them. Yet, under our district’s current leadership, many Valley schools have been left out in the cold.

By shifting salaries onto Prop 28 funding, the District has effectively robbed our schools of the chance to hire additional arts and music faculty members. This isn’t what California voters intended when they passed this ballot measure. Schmerelson should have fought for our schools, but instead sold our schools out by saying he was, “proud” of what the Superintendent had done. 

Scott Mark Schmerelson’s blind support of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has allowed the district to skirt its responsibilities.  The fight for arts funding is about more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about ensuring that every child has access to a well-rounded education that includes the arts.

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