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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the uses for the funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007-08?
Uses of funds remain identical to last year which may be used for the following purposes:
Implementing or increasing staff development opportunities, as necessary to support standards-aligned dance, music, theatre, and visual arts instruction
Hiring of additional staff, or
Purchase of new materials, books, supplies, and equipment
- What are considered supplies?
Per the California School Accountability Manual, supplies are those items of a short life span, constantly consumed and replaced without substantially increasing the value of the physical assets of the local educational agency (LEA), for example:
Instrument repair
Purchases of glazes for a ceramic course
Copper and gold wire for a jewelry course
Lighting templates for a theater course, or
CDs, drums and rhythm instruments for dance instruction
- What is considered equipment?
Per the California School Accountability Manual, equipment has relative permanent value and substantially increases the value of the physical assets of the LEA. Note: Improvement of site and building fixture purchases are not provided for with this funding. Examples of possible purchases:
Musical instruments
A portable dance floor
Jewelry kiln
Set of portable lights for theater and/or dance courses, or
A portable storage container
- What type of instructional materials can be purchased with these funds?
Any materials that are aligned to the Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools can be purchased with these funds.
- Are there resources for suggested purchases of educational materials with our Arts and Music Block Grant funds?
Yes, there are many resources available to districts. One example is the California Learning Resource Network (CLRN) (Outside Source), which has many different electronic or online materials for any core subject, including books, tapes, CDs, etc., all of which have met the California standards, grades 4-12 for visual and performing arts.
- Is there a time frame in which the funds must be spent?
No. However, funds carried forward are subject to the requirements of the budget act in the fiscal year that the funding was approved.
- If a district governing board elects to not allocate funds to school sites in the amounts specified in the grant, a resolution has to be adopted. What is a “resolution”?
A resolution is a plan or proposal, approved and adopted by the district governing board that specifies how the funds are to be allocated among school sites and for district-wide purposes and the reasons for those allocations. This resolution is not intended to be a “gilded first letter” or “whereas” document.
- Is there a resolution template?
No. Each LEA determines how they will provide the information to the governing board.
- When does the district governing board need to adopt the resolution?
The district should act in a timely manner because their summary report is due to the California Department of Education (CDE) by February 2, 2008. As the resolution may include contractual agreements, purchases, and district/school site work, it should be adopted early in the fiscal year.
- Who needs to be notified that a public meeting will be held regarding the district’s resolution on specific use of funds?
Notification of the content of the proposed resolution, including the time, date, and location of the meeting needs to be given to school site councils, school-wide advisory groups, or school support groups, as applicable.
- What authority does the CDE have to request a summary report from each district?
Senate Bill (SB) 77 Chapter 171, Statutes of 2007, stipulates that “By February 2, 2008, as a condition of receipt of funds, the governing board of each school district shall provide a summary report to the State Department of Education.”
- What is to be included in the summary report that is due to the CDE?
How the funds for FY 2007-08 were expended or are proposed to be expended, the number of pupils, and the grade levels served.
- Is there a template for the summary report?
Yes, the suggested template for the 07-08 Summary Report (DOC; 43KB; 2pp.)
is on the CDE Web site.
- For the purpose of the summary report, what if district work has yet to serve students or grade levels?
Many districts have taken the time to evaluate their existing arts education program, to write a five to eight year arts education plan, and begin to provide professional development to elementary teachers/single subject teachers. Undertaking this work may delay increasing the number of students participating in additional or expanded courses. The summary report can include such information, so that false numbers are not generated. Increasing student participation/course offerings would then be reflected in the next year’s reporting.
- When is the summary report due to the CDE?
The budget language states, “By February 2, 2008, as a condition of receipt of funds…”
- To what address do I mail my summary report?
Please deliver or mail to:
Curriculum Leadership Office
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4309
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attention: Nancy Carr
Visual & Performing Arts Consultant
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