Art and music is taught at MVWSD through generous support of the Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF). TK-5th graders receive art and music education from the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA). Middle school students have dedicated MVWSD instrumental, vocal and art teachers.

Fifth-grade music

Starting with the fifth-grade program, students have a choice of art classes, a band instrument, or a string instrument. Please see the below document about instrumental music

5th grade instrument catalog (English)
5th grade instrument catalog (Spanish)

Proposition 28 (California, 2022)

This initiative provides additional funding for arts and music education in California public schools. It ensures that a portion of the state's general fund is allocated annually to support these programs, with a focus on benefiting underserved communities. Schools have flexibility in how funds are used, including hiring staff or purchasing supplies, but the funds cannot be used to replace existing programming or effort - it’s intended to be additive, boosting overall investment in arts and music education. To learn more, visit the CDE website. 


Can we use Prop 28 monies to fund the programs that MVEF funds now, like CSMA art and music?
No. Schools cannot use Prop 28 to offset or replace existing funding commitments for arts programs. Prop 28 funds are meant to be additive, boosting overall investment in arts and music education.

Should parents stop contributing to MVEF since the district now has Prop 28?
No! Without parent donations to MVEF, critical funding for the current arts, music and hands-on experiences that our students have would disappear, putting these programs in serious risk. 

What can Prop 28 funds be used for?
Schools can use Prop 28 funds to hire arts teachers, purchase supplies, and implement new programs in order to add to current offerings. This flexibility allows districts to address gaps in their arts education programs and respond to community input on additional desired programs. Prop 28 requires that schools spend 80% on district-hired staff and 20% on materials, training, contracts, etc.

Can Prop 28 funds be used for after school programs? Lunchtime activities?
Yes! We anticipate that hiring arts teachers for after school programs and lunchtime activities will be a major expenditure area, since daytime schedules are already set and include existing art and music classes for all elementary students and electives for middle school students.

How do parents and staff give input on how these funds are used?
Schools are in the process of seeking community input and will submit an annual plan to the district. Input is being collected through surveys and in meetings with parents, such as Principal’s Coffees, School Site Council, and PTA. 

How much Prop 28 money does MVWSD get?
$625,000 annually to MVWSD schools, and allocated based on total enrollment and Free and Reduced Price Meals enrollment.  With district support and coordination as necessary, each school will manage its allocation and Prop 28 plans. 

Can we hire CSMA to do more programs with our students?
It depends. The law requires that schools spend 80% on district-hired staff. CSMA is considered a contracted service, therefore can only be hired up to the 20% limit of a school’s total Prop 28 budget.

Can Prop 28 be used only for new arts/music providers?
Site administrators can choose to work with people and organizations with whom they already work if that’s the best course of action. Or they can seek new staff/programs. 

How will we know what our school spends Prop 28 funds on?
Prop 28 includes strict reporting requirements to ensure that funds are used exclusively for arts and music education. Schools must report their spending to the state.

How soon will we see new arts/music programs at our schools?
Initial rollout of Prop 28 programs is likely to be staggered, depending on individual schools and pace of planning. It’s important to note that external factors such as how many arts teachers are available to hire can affect the pace of program rollout. 

How much is my school getting, and what can we afford to spend this amount on?
Your principal can share your school’s actual annual allocation. The funding might not go as far as you think. For example, if a school with 350 students gets a $45,000 annual allocation:

* 80% ($36,000) goes towards hiring arts program staff, which might cover a teacher working a total of 8-12 hours a week.
* 20% ($9,000) can be used for arts-related supplies, training, or contracts. This could include purchasing a student violin ($500-$1,000), a laptop for graphic design ($1,000-$3,000+), materials for a theater set (over $5,000), or training for teachers in arts integration ($200-$1,000 per teacher).