Prop 28
The clean theatre solution for your Prop 28 funds.
Proposition 28 gives California elementary schools dedicated, ongoing arts funding — the challenge is deploying it without adding administrative burden. A Chaplins theatre residency is the cleanest way to use it: additive by design, compliant by default, built for the gap most schools already have.
Why it fits
Compliant by design
Prop 28 dollars must add to your existing arts spend, never replace it. A Chaplins residency is additive by definition — theatre you don't currently offer, delivered by an outside partner. Clean line item, simple reporting.
Built for the gap
Most elementary schools have music or visual art on the schedule; theatre and dance rarely. Prop 28 was written to close exactly that gap — and theatre is the easiest of the four disciplines to add.
Partners use the 20%
At least 80% of Prop 28 funds go to arts staff; up to 20% covers training, supplies, and outside partners. Districts without credentialed theatre staff can request a CDE "good cause" waiver to bring Chaplins in as an arts partner.
Three years to spend
Each annual allocation is spendable for up to three fiscal years. Try a residency for a semester, renew for the year, scale it across grades.
Every district's Prop 28 plan differs — we're glad to talk through how a residency fits yours, and always recommend confirming specifics with your district's business office.
Source: California Department of Education — Prop 28 (Arts & Music in Schools) guidance.
CLARA has brought this model to more than 9,500 students weekly across 300+ Sacramento-region classrooms. Chaplins Education is carrying it into Vacaville, Solano County, and beyond.
Source: CLARA program data. Chaplins Education is a separate entity extending CLARA's model.
Prop 28, in plain terms — FAQ
What does "supplement, not supplant" mean under Prop 28?
Prop 28 funds must expand arts education beyond what a school already provides — new programs, services, or access. They can't replace existing district-funded arts programs, current arts instructors, or arts spending that was already happening. A program is supplemental when it adds something that didn't previously exist.
Can Prop 28 funds replace our existing arts teachers or programs?
No. Funds must be used to expand arts staffing and programming, not substitute for it. Districts that unintentionally supplant risk audit findings and corrective action — which is why additive programs with a clean paper trail are the safest way to deploy the money.
How does a theatre residency stay clearly supplemental?
It's easiest when the discipline is new. If your school offers music or visual art but no theatre, a theatre residency is expansion by definition: a new discipline, a new provider, and instruction that didn't exist before. That distinction is simple to document and simple to defend.
Can Prop 28 pay for an outside partner like Chaplins?
At least 80% of each allocation must go to arts education staff; up to 20% may cover training, supplies, materials, and arts educational partnership programs. Districts that can't reasonably hire credentialed arts staff may request a "good cause" waiver from the California Department of Education for flexibility. We always recommend confirming your plan with your district's business office.
When is a CDE waiver needed?
A waiver applies when a district can't meet the 80% staffing requirement — for example, when qualified credentialed theatre staff aren't available to hire. The waiver process exists precisely so students still get arts instruction while a district builds capacity.
What documentation should we keep?
Program descriptions showing new or expanded services, schedules indicating supplemental instructional time, contracts outlining the scope of work and instructor qualifications, and budget narratives linking Prop 28 funds to expansion goals. A residency contract naturally produces most of this.
We already have strong arts programs. Can we still use Prop 28?
Yes. Schools with established music or visual arts can use Prop 28 to expand into new disciplines, add instructional time, or increase access — theatre is a common choice exactly because so few elementary schools already offer it.
How long do we have to spend each allocation?
Each annual allocation may be spent over up to three fiscal years. That makes it practical to pilot a residency for a semester, then renew and scale with confidence.