ALL STUDENTS TO GET LESSONS IN THE ARTS.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

BURBANK - Every student in the city's public schools will receive lessons in the arts with the Burbank Unified School District board's unanimous approved of the ``Arts for All'' project, which boosts funding by $430,000.

Officials say the plan is a blueprint for incorporating dance, drama, music and visual arts into the curriculum for grades kindergarten through 12. It's part of a countywide strategy to boost arts education in public schools.

``I'm looking forward to making sure that the work that we've now put onto paper ... is put into action,'' board president Paul Krekorian said after Thursday night's vote. ``We do have a way to go, but we're already way ahead of where most districts are.''

Deputy Superintendent Alexis Sheehy said much work went into the plan, which was boosted by a $50,000 donation by Warner Bros. Other Los Angeles-area businesses have contributed money to the program, Sheehy said.

``We have a lot going on for us,'' she said. ``We're very proud of the plan. It's really in good shape.''

Effective the second semester of 2006, school officials will hire a part-time visual and performing arts teacher to coordinate the program, and four elementary music specialists, in addition to buying more arts materials and other supplies.

The school district now spends $1.8 million a year for arts - about 1.8 percent of its total budget. About $1.7 million of that goes to teacher salaries, while $100,000 goes for supplies.

Under the new plan, the school district will increase the arts budget to slightly more than $2 million.

The money will come from a combination of boosters, endowments, a foundation and the Parent Teachers Association.

Jason Kandel, [phone]

jason.kandel(at)dailynews.com