Santa Rosa High's ArtQuest Program Faces Potential Cuts

District considers reducing class time for acclaimed fine arts specialty

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:03am

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Santa Rosa High School's acclaimed ArtQuest fine arts program is bracing for potential cuts, with district officials considering a proposal to halve instruction time for students in the program's largest specialties, including theater and visual arts. The changes would reduce the two-period, two-hour block schedule to a single one-hour period, which staff and students say would diminish the program's depth and rigor. ArtQuest teachers say the lack of information from the district has caused anxiety and led some prospective transfer students to withdraw their applications.

Why it matters

ArtQuest is one of the main curricular incentives used by the district to attract and retain students, even as enrollment has slipped districtwide over the past decade. The potential cuts to the program come as the district grapples with a budget crisis, having already approved about 120 staff layoffs, including some high school fine arts and theater teachers. The changes could have a significant impact on the program's ability to provide a specialized, college-level experience for its students.

The details

The proposed changes would involve transitioning ArtQuest students from a two-period, two-hour block schedule to a single one-hour period. This would impact the program's largest specialties, including theater and visual arts, as well as photography, video arts, and digital arts. District leaders say the changes are part of broader adjustments to the master schedule at Santa Rosa High School based on enrollment, but have not confirmed whether the ArtQuest block schedule will be reduced. ArtQuest teachers say the lack of information and assurance from the district has caused anxiety and led some prospective transfer students to withdraw their applications.

  • In early March, speculation began swirling about cuts to ArtQuest in the form of changing student schedules.
  • On March 10, Interim Superintendent Lisa August Hume confirmed there will be reductions to the master schedule at Santa Rosa High School.
  • On March 13, August Hume said the district is "actively looking at fiscal options" and "working along our ArtQuest team to identify solutions" to protect the program's integrity.

The players

Brooke Delello

ArtQuest teacher and program coordinator who says the two-hour class time is crucial for students to explore and develop their artistic skills.

Jereme Anglin

ArtQuest theater teacher who says the extended class time allows students to rehearse and perfect their performances to a professional level.

Lisa August Hume

Interim Superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools, who confirmed there will be reductions to the master schedule at Santa Rosa High School.

Nick Caston

President of the Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education, who said the board will address ArtQuest and other specialized programs at their next meeting.

Dexter Williams

An 11th grade ArtQuest student who transferred to the program, saying it feels like a personal community that would be lost if it's cut.

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What they’re saying

“It's their art. Process is huge for us. And exploration and practice. The more materials we can introduce them to, the more they're learning who they are as an artist.”

— Brooke Delello, ArtQuest teacher and program coordinator

“By having two hours of time, I'm able to get the kids into costume, maybe they're in corsets, wigs, makeup. The time we have is not only to train the students but also rehearse a play up to a professional level.”

— Jereme Anglin, ArtQuest theater teacher

“ArtQuest is not just a program, it's a community. Nowhere in any other of my classes do I actually feel connected to my classmates in any way. It feels like if they cut ArtQuest, they're cutting my friends. It's so personal to me.”

— Dexter Williams, 11th grade ArtQuest student

“The conversation around what can be done to meet financial realities often gets turned into what's happening instead of, we're vetting... brainstorming what could happen. You could remove the double block and do something else but there was no decision yet.”

— Nick Caston, President, Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education

“There's fear that people will forget that we're here. That we will fade into obscurity.”

— Brooke Delello, ArtQuest teacher and program coordinator

What’s next

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education will address the future of the ArtQuest program and other specialized programs at their next meeting on March 25.

The takeaway

The potential cuts to Santa Rosa High's acclaimed ArtQuest program highlight the difficult budget decisions facing the district, as it seeks to balance fiscal realities with preserving specialized educational opportunities that have been a draw for students and families. The lack of information from the district has fueled anxiety among ArtQuest staff and students, raising concerns that the program's depth and community-building could be diminished if the proposed schedule changes are implemented.