Small LEA Guide

Tailored strategies for LEA’s with fewer than 500 students. You have more flexibility- here’s how to make the most of it. 

No 80% Staffing Mandate

Exempt from the requirement to spend 80% on staffing.

Greater Flexibility

Can allocate all expenditure categories freely.

Creative Strategies

Pool resources, share positions, leverage partnerships

Investment Tiers

Major Investment ($75,000 +)
Midsize Investment ($20,000 – $75,000)
Small Investment (Under $20,000)
Certificated or Classified Employees
Full-time certificated or classified employees
Part-time certificated or classified employees (cost-share with another LEA or funding source)
Part-time certificated or classified employees (cost-share with another LEA or funding source)
Instruction and Training
Multi-year commitment to ongoing professional learning to ensure sustainability
Registration for staff to attend local, regional, or state workshops or conferences
Supplies and Materials
Specialized and discipline-specific supplies and materials
Specialized and discipline-specific supplies and materials
Specialized and discipline-specific supplies and materials
Arts Educational Partnership Programs
Teaching artist residencies of a semester or longer in multiple classrooms Study trips to statewide arts connected spaces
Teaching artist residencies of at least a month. Study trips to regional arts connected spaces
Teaching artist presentations or contracts of less than one month Study trips to local arts connected spaces
Rural Arts Initiative

Many small LEA’s are in rural communities. Explore our Rural Arts Initiative for county specific profiles, data, and implementation stories from communities like yours.

Find Your County Arts Lead

Your County Arts Lead can help you develop an implementation plan scaled to your resources. Find your regional contact.