Selma Unified is shifting small amounts of state money away from its music and art programs and also from 10th grade counseling that's encouraged sophomores to go to college. School trustee John Lorona opposed the shift at the Oct. 13 school board meeting. He said sophomores need extra attention to plan their academic futures and that music and art are as important as athletics. However, associate superintendent Larry Teixeira doesn't believe the music and art programs will be harmed because they get other monies from the district. Music, for example, has a budget of $68,000 this year for travel, instruments and non-salary expenses. Furthermore, Teixeira said, Selma High doesn't always spend all the counseling money.

Selma High Principal Mark Babiarz said his school spent about $11,000 of $12,000 it received for sophomore counseling from 2005 to 2009. He also said the counseling offered to sophomores -- and all students -- won't suffer because of the money being shifted.

The state started giving money to many schools for 10th grade counseling in the 1980s, Teixeira said, but he isn't sure why sophomores were targeted.

The state money is called "categorical funding" -- meaning it is earmarked for specific areas or categories such as music and counseling.

Selma Unified will shift that money to help pay for special education and transportation -- two major expenses in the district's budget. The state provides money for both areas, but not enough to cover all costs, Teixeira said.

The state last spring gave school districts flexibility to move categorical money into their general funds because of budget problems caused by the economic downturn.

Selma Unified officials asked trustees to approve moving about $561,000 of categorical money, which is about 1 percent of Selma Unified's budget. Only about $8,100 of the $561,000 was earmarked for 10th-grade counseling. In the past, the counseling has involved taking students on field trips to colleges and having pamphlets about doing well in high school.

Lorona said $8,100 isn't "a whole lot of money," but he was philosophically against taking money from counseling. He added, some students at Selma High haven't seen a counselor for a long time.

Babiarz, the high school principal, disagreed. He said all Selma High students are seen at least twice a year by learning directors, who do student counseling and perform other administrative duties. The sessions involve picking classes and talking about college and career plans.

"We will continue to look for ways to meet the needs of all students even during tough financial times like these," Babiarz said.

Meanwhile, the state money earmarked for music and art totaled about $86,000 of the $561,000. In the past, music and art money was used to buy new uniforms and instruments for the middle and high school bands and new costumes for the Mexican dance groups at both schools. The money also paid for outside teachers to provide extra art instruction.

Lorona remains concerned. "Music and art are important areas and should be protected," he said.