The Board of Education approved a $17 million budget for 1979-80, representing an increase of 8.2% over last year. The budget provides an 8.19% increase in salary and benefits for certificated employees. A major problem appears in special education, which the state has not fully funded.
Senate Bill 275 (Ding Bill), which provides for collective bargaining, binding arbitration, and the right to strike, is causing great conflict between the School Board and teachers in the Arcadia district. The Board has voted 5-0 to support the Winston Act and oppose any State legislation that would replace its provisions. The Winston Act was passed in 1969 and required that School Boards meet and confer in good faith with teachers in determining salary schedules, fringe benefits, and working conditions.
A small group of teachers, dissatisfied with an 8.5% salary increase, may go on strike. Both the Arcadia Teachers Association and the American Federation of Teachers local have disavowed the action.
Salary negotiations are still underway with teachers insisting that no strike is planned. Specific salaries are given for various levels: 1. beginning - $9012 2. average - $14,254 3. maximum with masters degree after 14 years - $18,589
Jeff Dring discusses postponement of the lawsuit against the city of Arcadia. Dring contends that a demurer filed by Arcadia, asking dismissal of the case, takes precedent over the preliminary injunction sought by the plaintiffs.
Arcadia teachers picketed the open house at Arcadia High School to protest the 1978-79 raise offered by the Arcadia Board of Education. The teachers claim they received a 3.5% salary adjustment (vs. the average San Gabriel Valley increase of 5.5%) while the Board claims a 5% increase retroactive to December 1, 1978.
Fire Chiefs of 19 Foothill cities met this spring and have worked out a strike force plan for more efficient fire fighting. Since the dry conditions make this potentially the worst fire season since 1920, this could mean great savings. A strike force will consist of 5 units directed by a team leader.
Both the teachers and the Arcadia Board of Education ratified an existing contract, with some changes agreed upon by all involved. Salaries were excluded from discussion due to Prop. 13. The contract extends through June 30, 1980.
Paul Gann and his People's Advocate have withdrawn from the lawsuit pending against the city of Arcadia. The Arcadia Tax Reform Committee has not yet decided whether to file an amended complaint.
Feeling that career counseling should start early, Foothills Junior High has started a program of extensive exposure to many different careers. Involved were many parents, who shared their backgrounds.
The State-administered Federal program which helped supplement reading and math skills for those youngsters with the lowest performances was rejected by a 3-2 vote of the School Board. Voting against were Board members May, Horstman and Clifford; voting for were Fickas and Harvey.
The ever-present philosophic differences among School Board members over whether or not to accept Federal funds has come up again. It appears that a May-Horstman-Frempter coalition, which is against accepting Federal funds could block Title I applications.
The Arcadia Board of Education approved a tentative $16.7 million budget. Included was an increase in special education programs. The figures are only estimates and will depend in part on any state school finance formulas to be decided.
The California Teachers Association has advised the Arcadia Teachers Association to reopen negotiations on salaries for the current year. The 3-year Arcadia contract has no provision for increases in local teachers' salaries.