Hollister - New timpanis, a functioning pottery kiln, new costumes for the costume shop. These are all items that the arts department at San Benito High School may soon be able to check off its "To Buy" list.
After a long period of minimal funding for arts programs, school districts in San Benito County are finally receiving a financial boost for their dance, music, theater and visual arts programs.
"This will assist us in getting the program to move even further," said James Zuniga, the choir and band teacher at SBHS.
In the past year, visual and performing arts programs at schools in California have seen a $105 million increase in state funding. On top of this, a one-time grant of $500 million for art, music and physical education will soon boost district coffers throughout the state. All of this adds up to the first surplus of money arts programs have seen in a long time.
"This is the first time ever that the state has had this kind of money for the arts. It's historic," said Nancy Carr, a California Department of Education consultant for visual and performing arts.
Traditionally, Carr said, arts grants are competitive so not all districts receive the funding. Both the ongoing funding and one-time grant will be provided to all districts in California.
Teachers at local schools are enthusiastic about the money and say it will not be difficult to spend.
For the ongoing grant, Hollister School District will receive around $24,000 additionally a year, and San Benito High School District should see around $13,000 a year.
The one-time grant, which will be shared with the school's physical education department, is expected to be around $82 per student, according Jim Koenig, director of finance and operations at SBHS.
San Benito High School expects to receive around $219,000, 75 percent of which will be allocated in early April, and the remaining 25 percent in June. This money can be spent on professional development and supplies for the arts and physical education.
Carr met with administrators and staff from San Benito County's school districts on Thursday to discuss the future of arts education, as well as possible ways to spend the money.
The grant does not expire, so administrators can take their time looking at what really needs funding.
New supplies are something that teachers in the arts department at SBHS are looking forward to.
"I think it's going to provide a charge for students who may have hesitated because they don't have the wherewithal to purchase or rent an instrument, to go ahead and participate," Zuniga said. He hopes to be able to buy new musical instruments and equipment.
Ava Sanchez, a senior at SBHS, is a flute section leader in the band. She said the music department is always looking for money - even collecting cans to recycle for extra cash.
"We could always use some more funding," Sanchez said. "We don't ever seem to have enough."
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. You can contact her at 831.637.5566 or at ajoy@freelancenews.com.
Alice Joy Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at ajoy@freelancenews.com or 831-637-5566 ext. 336.
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