As of July 1, the City of Arcadia was awarded $31,750 in federal grant funds under the Older Americans Act, Title III. Funds will be used to provide I & R, outreach and volunteer services for older residents of Arcadia and Temple City.
The School Board has passed and adopted a new teachers salary schedule for 1975-76. The teachers unions have not yet ratified the agreement. Salaries range from $9553 for a first year teacher to $19,918 for a teacher with extra college credits, including an MA.
With the tax base increase having been approved by the voters on April 15, both Unions representing teachers in Arcadia presented new contract terms to the School Board.
With the passage of the Rodda Bill, teachers must be represented by a single bargaining agent. Undoubtedly, unions will merge. The Rodda Bill allows bargaining on: wages, hours and working conditions which take some jurisdiction from the School Board.
Some teachers began picketing in front of the district offices. At issue were charges of stalling on negotiations and the 1% increase offer by the School Board which the teachers called "an insult." Superintendent Ed Ryan said that if the two unions had been able to get together on their demands the problem might have been resolved by now.
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 need for more volunteer aides is cited by District Librarian Mrs. Julie Dresdner. In the last three years, beginning at Camino Grove, library-media centers have been developed and are in operation at all nine elementary schools.
If the School Board approves, 1976-77 will be the 9th year that Arcadia has participated in Title I funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Primary usage for these federal funds is on those youngsters who fall below the 50th percentile in achievement tests.