A Message from the AVPA Foundation President

March 2, 2026

Dear AVPA Community,

As president of the AVPA Foundation, I have spent much of the past week collaborating with AVPA parents and AVPA Foundation board leaders. We’ve seen a great deal of passion, concern, and advocacy for arts education in our district. First and foremost — thank you.

The outpouring of support reflects how deeply this community values the role that arts education plays in students’ lives. The volunteer parents who serve on the AVPA Foundation Board share that belief.

We want to clarify an important point.

Flyers circulating in the community suggested that the school board is planning to cancel AVPA. This is not accurate. In his most recent weekly communication, the Superintendent directly addressed this rumor and confirmed that AVPA is not being cut.

We are grateful for this clarification.

Given the Superintendent’s Friday clarification, we no longer believe it is necessary for families to attend the March 3rd special school board meeting in-person to address concerns about AVPA potentially being eliminated though we encourage you to view the meeting online.  With 24 positions projected to be eliminated in the 2026–27 school year, many parts of our district community are facing painful uncertainty. In this moment, we believe it is important to remain mindful of the broader challenges affecting students and staff across CCUSD.

We recognize that CCUSD is facing very real financial challenges. Difficult decisions lie ahead, and many programs and services across the district — including mental health supports, class sizes, and intervention programs — are part of broader budget conversations.

We also want to be clear that AVPA does not stand above or apart from the rest of the district.

Arts education is not in competition with mental health services, academic supports, or other student programs. In fact, for many students — especially those who may struggle to find connection elsewhere — the arts are a source of belonging, emotional expression, and wellness.

This is not about privileging one group of students over another.

It is about ensuring that all students — including those whose strengths lie in creativity, performance, storytelling, and design — continue to have access to pathways that engage them in school and prepare them for their future paths.

We also acknowledge that conversations about equity and access are important. AVPA has long worked to expand opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds, and we remain committed to ensuring the arts are accessible — not exclusive. No student is ever turned away from AVPA programs.

Difficult future budget decisions are likely, particularly in 2027–28. It remains important that district leadership understands the essential role arts education — and AVPA specifically — plays in student engagement, belonging, and preparation for life beyond high school. We hope to see programs like AVPA recognized as core to a well-rounded student experience.

Our role moving forward is to elevate authentic stories that demonstrate how AVPA contributes to student success across backgrounds and aspirations. Together, we can continue advocating for solutions that support the whole child!

With appreciation,

Deanna Newell
President, AVPA Foundation