The Arcadia Board of Education swore in newly elected member Joann Steinmeier and re-elected member Mary Dougherty at an organizational meeting. Dougherty was also elected president as the board selected its new officers.
Incumbent Mary Dougherty and Joann Steinmeier were elected to the School Board in an election that brought out only 9.8% of Arcadia' registered voters.
Arcadia Board of Education candidates addressed the questions of teacher proficiency, curriculum, censorship and tenure at a forum sponsored by the American Association of University Women and the Arcadia League of Women Voters. Candidates attending the forum were Robert Harris, Marilyn Perkins, Mary Dougherty, David Strauss and William Spuck.
Two candidates without professional experience were the winners from among a field of 5 running for 2 seats on the Arcadia Board of Education. Mary Dougherty and Bill Spuck will officially take their posts at the July 1 meeting, replacing Carol Papay and Don Fickas. Final results: Bill Spuck (2489), Mary Dougherty (1983), Marilyn Miller Perkins (1704), Robert Harris (1232), and David Strauss (4331).
Michael Dougherty of Boy Scout Troop 103 has attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Fewer than two percent of all scouts nationally earn the Eagle rank, the highest honor that can be achieved in the Boy Scouts of America.
Four candidates to run for 3 school board seats. The four are Robert E. Kladifko, Jim Bryant, G. Michael Allison and Marilyn M. Perkins. Article has brief biographical information on each candidate.
Arcadia Board of Education candidate, Gene Shepherd feels it is unfair that he and 3 other candidates were not interviewed (as they had been in past years) by Arcadians for Arcadia. A spokesman for the group said it was pointless to interview Shepherd since the 3 incumbents "are doing a good job" while Shepherd "hasn't proven himself."
Dr. John Nelson, assistant superintendent for business in the Arcadia schools, believes the $20 million budget the Board of Education adopted is relatively stable. Incorporated are present estimates for all income as well as corresponding expenditures for the 1983-84 school year.
Thirteen negotiating sessions have been held since March yet the teachers and the Board of Education are still at odds. The Board is reluctant to give up its authority over the disputed matters of transfers, evaluation and grievance arbitration.
Negotiating teams for the Arcadia Teachers Association and the Board of Education have declared an impasse. Letters will be sent to the Public Employees Relations Board which may appoint a mediator. If the mediator is unable to resolve the differences, a fact finding panel may be selected.
G. Barton Payne and Dr. Robert Kladifko are running as a team in the April 22 school board election. Both strongly oppose the closure of any elementary school except as a last resort. Biographical notes on each are included.
For the first time in history, the Arcadia Board of Education voted to receive pay for its services. The board granted itself a monthly stipend of $125 to defray out-of-pocket expenses associated with serving on the board.
An evaluation team from a consortium of Southland schools has generally commended Arcadia's Highland Oaks School. The team came up with 58 commendations, 23 suggestions and 15 recommendations.