Action threatens millions of dollars in payment to arts teachers statewide 

The majority of a $10 million state grant that provides schools money to buy arts supplies has been put on hold by the Governor’s office, threatening payments to teachers and vendors. The funds are used to buy items such as paints, brushes, sheet music, dance props, theatrical costumes, and pay for repairs.

With payments delayed by the Governor’s action, schools had begun asking the Department of Education about the status of these dollars. Superintendent Tom Horne has sent an email to schools explaining the hold and its impact on schools and vendors who are relying on grant payments that are now delayed.

Horne stated in his email, “Pulling this funding, if it is not immediately corrected, would create a deep scar on arts education.”

He further explained, “Of the $10 million available, $2.54 million has been approved and paid. We have pending requests that we have internally approved for another $4.7 million.  Based on experience, we expect to get meritorious requests for that full $10 million. We were about to authorize the $4.7 million when we got word that the governor’s office put a hold on the funding. The total grant of $10 million had been part of the budget that she approved in the compromise budget with the legislature.”

The grant was being disbursed in phases over several state fiscal year quarters. This hold affects money allocated for the second and third quarters, the period from October of 2023 to March of 2024. Another $2.8 million has been set aside for the fourth fiscal quarter, which is this coming April through June.