The Redwood City School District had to raise $300,000 by July 1 in order to keep its music program going through the 2006-2007 school year.

Budget cuts have forced many school districts, not just Redwood City’s, to either shut down their arts programs completely or dramatically cut back funding unless private funding can be found within their community.

According to Karen Kim, spokeswoman for Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale), the 2005-2006 California budget has had about $2 billion cut from it. Kim said Frommer and other assembly members are pushing for the approval of AB 6, which would raise taxes for the wealthy in California to provide more funds for education.

AB 6 would raise taxes for individual taxpayers who make more than $143,421 from 9.3 percent to 10 percent and raise taxes the same amount for married taxpayers who make more than $286,843. The bill would raise about $2.2 billion, Kim said.

“[The arts] are what students need to be exposed to, to be well-rounded adults who have a range of skills,” said Rachel Richman, spokeswoman for Assemblywoman Wilma Chan. Chan supports the bill.

The Redwood City School District has always been a strong supporter of the arts, said Vivian Euzent, a music teacher in the Redwood City School District.

“Our district supports it 100 percent,” said Euzent.

According to Euzent and Toma Lynn Cloud-Davis, a private music teacher in Daly City, students who are exposed to the arts are better students. These students are better at math, analytical studies, and finger-dexterity.

“It’s always the arts that are cut back first,” said Cloud-Davis. “They’re not regarded as an essential part of curriculum.”

Children can take private music lessons, if they have the money or time, Euzent said.

"The governor, being an entertainer, understands and supports the arts in education," said Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Zachary Shpizner, a student at Summit Preparatory High School in Redwood City, is an aspiring musician.

“I feel music has had a pretty big impact on my life,” Shpizner said.

Shpizner said he uses music to relax whenever he is feeling stressed out. He also said he feels that getting into music, “is a way to make new friends.”

“I’ll go to summer programs and I’ll play my guitar and people will come up to me and we’ll talk,” said Shpizner.