In early Sep., SUHSD had received approximately 290,000 dollars for Proposition 28 Funding; a funding which would financially support the art department in California schools. Within BVH, VAPA classes such as art, dance, mariachi, band and more would have the opportunity to grow and expand. More funding within the art department will allow students to express themselves on a deeper level than before.
BVH Principal, Lee Romero, understands the importance of funding for arts and hopes that it will create more opportunities for students. With this new money, students will have better tools and resources. They will be able to try new things in their classes and learn more about their favorite subjects. It really shows their creativity.
“The funding is beneficial because we can hire new staff members, buy new supplies [and] add more [VAPA] classes. This year we got funding which is going to continue every single year,” Romero said.
With this significant amount of funding, the school has the potential to improve the quality of the arts education and allow students to take different VAPA classes. BVH IB coordinator Jared Phelps mentions some challenges that VAPA classes had faced in the past.
“Our school receives no additional funding for arts. There is very little funding [and] because of that, the school spends the same money on art classes as it does on math or science classes,” Phelps said.“So one of the things that has always been challenging in the past is if the school’s test scores are down, people will probably react in a certain way by complaining we don’t need these arts because there is no art test and so, art classes will be cut.”
In the past BVHhas invested a lot of money in math and science classes, but not enough in arts. Many students have felt they lack interesting choices and have to take an arts class just because it’s required. BVH senior and Mariachi Band member, Aislynn Melesio expresses her opinions regarding the arts funding.
“It would improve with Mariachi Band clothing. Last year, we had new people and we didn’t have anything for them to wear. Last year my teacher had to go out of his way, out of his own pocket and buy us clothing because of the small amount of money the school provides for the VAPA classes,” Melesio said.
This highlights the issues that Mariachi Band and other performance art classes have to face because of the lack of resources and funding. When the money becomes available, BVH will be able to make improvements and adjustments to ensure fairness for the classes that involve additional supplies and equipment. The new funding can enhance the opportunities for all students involved in the arts.
“In general, the funding is broken into two chunks. Eighty percent of [it] goes to paying teachers and bringing more teachers in and the other twenty percent of it could be used for buying costumes or buying instruments or material and resources that are needed for VAPA classes,” Phelps said.
BVH students’ high school experiences would improve if the art department were to enhance its opportunities. The goal is for both students and staff to work together and understand each other better. Recently, at a board meeting held at BVH, staff discussed how to use the funding money for supplies.
“The funding was released this year and a month ago schools within the district were told to brainstorm a plan to spend it,” Romero said. “Two weeks ago we turned in our plan and then [the] school board needs to approve it. After they send it to the state and approve it. Once everything is approved it gets released to us. So, we will probably see the money close to December or January [2025].”
Strengthening support for the mariachi will provide more resources and equipment, helpinging students feel valued and increasing their chances of success in performances. This boost in the arts department could lead to larger class sizes, allowing students to choose from a wider variety of arts programs that match up with their interest.
“February is when students start requesting classes for next year depending on what students want. We are going to add some art classes [by then] and we are going to put the [new options] on the list [of classes to join]. If students sign up for them we’ll add them, if students don’t sign up for them we’ll cut the [classes],” Romero said.
Adding new arts classes will help contribute to the funding. By asking students what classes they prefer will let the staff at BVH understand which classes should remain. Some classes were limited in previous years and currently some classes still are. Currently, funding is still limited affecting certain groups in the art department.
“We were really limited these past years. Other schools like San Ysidro High School and Sweetwater High School have really good mariachi funding initials so I think we will really benefit from it in the future,” Melesio said.
This shows the importance of how Melesio believes that the funding will help the arts, especially the mariachi program. Since this funding is supposed to be annual, Romero hopes to see kids happier and be more motivated in the arts. This highlights how students will take this opportunity to have arts classes that they enjoy. Both students and teachers are excited to see how these arts classes will enhance the school.
“Taking [VAPA] classes that they can take and just enjoy as well as discovering some of their talents that they have is great. Providing these classes are going to be good for students to see. This funding will continue every year and it is going to help bring more art opportunities to our students,” Romero said.
