Flute Scandal Could have been Avoided if CUSD had District Funded Art and Music

Flute Scandal Could have been Avoided if CUSD had District Funded Art and Music

"Bodily Fluids' May Have Contaminated Some Do-It- Yourself Flutes Made in Capistrano Schools, DOJ Officials Say" By Ashley Ludwig (Patch Staff)

During the recession, the State allowed school districts to cut funding to categorial programs in order to balance their budget. Many districts cut funding for core classes like Art, Music and Science. As programs were cut, districts across the state started to rely on fundraising and donations to pay for those programs.

And despite the greatest economic recovery in US History, most California school districts have never restored funding to these programs. Most districts have used the money to increase employee compensation.

In 2012-13 CUSD spent $710,000.00 per year to provide Art and Music to all K-3 students. This covered the cost of a CUSD employed teacher that is credentialed in Art and credentialed in Music.

Rather than spend money to restore core educational programs, CUSD chose to give across the board compensation increases totaling over $120 million dollars.

Fundraising and donations (one time money) should never be used to pay for core educational programs (on-going expenses).

Relying on fundraising and donations to pay for core educational programs creates wealth based in equities in the quality of education that students receive within the district. These inequities violate the civil rights of every student and is an illegal violation of AB 1575.

Know your rights: Free Public Education in California

While that law is on the books; California as a State, no longer enforces any laws.

Wealthy schools within CUSD have continued to pay the salaries of credentialed CUSD employees to teach traditional block music. Less wealthy schools have had to resort to PTA and foundation funded programs that use outside vendors and/or parent volunteers to teach these programs. This opens the door to incidents like the Flute scandal.

I find millions of dollars in wasted funding every board meeting. It's time for CUSD to fund a minimum education for EVERY student that is taught by properly credentialed teachers hired and vetted by CUSD with a curriculum that aligns to California State minimum Content Standards and Curriculum frameworks.