The Arcadia Board of Education has adopted a $63.9 million General Fund budget for the coming year. The budget contains reductions across the board, with 10% cuts at schools, a reduction in categorical programs and no cost of living increase from the state.
The Library Board of Trustees voted to post a PATRIOT Act notice, as required by the act. The notice reads, "Although the Arcadia Public Library makes every reasonable effort to protect your privacy, under the federal USA PATRIOT Act (PL107-56), records of the books and other materials you currently have on loan from this library, your inter-library loan requests placed during the past year, or the Internet sites and e-mails that you access through our computers may be obtained by federal agents. That federal law prohibits library workers from informing you if federal agents have asked about or obtained your records.
Arcadia Unified School District Board of Education candidates discuss issues and answer questions posed by The Arcadia Weekly. Two articles are on this page.
The Arcadia Board of Education has adopted a resolution opposing SB 1419, which would limit the authority of school boards to contract out for services. The bill is on the governor's desk for signature or veto. The bill would restrict districts from using personal services contracts if the duties can be performed by district employees.
Deferred maintenance and capital improvement projects to be done this summer include roofing, re-roofing, painting, kitchen and plumbing work at area schools.
Mimi Hennessy, Superintendent of Arcadia Unified School District, writes in response to anonymous letter about the district's vehicle perquisite, after a district vehicle was involved in an accident in Las Vegas.
New regulations require that Arcadia, among other cities in the Los Angeles River basin, reduce the amount of trash put into the system to "zero tolerance" in twelve years. Arcadia has joined other cities in the Coalition for Practical Regulation to appeal the order.
Board wants to keep Apache name. The Arcadia Board of Education voted unanimously to oppose AB 2115, a bill that would forbid Arcadia High School from using the Apache mascot.
The Arcadia Board of Education approved a Local Agency Education plan to bring the district into compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind program, which requires that students meet state proficiency standards by 2013-2014. For California, the standard is 100% graduation with all requirements for University of California admission met.
Arcadia board reaffirms use of Apache name. The school board revisited the issue of the use of the Apache name and symbol by Arcadia High School. Native Americans spoke against using the name Apache but the board concluded that it will retain "Apaches," a name AHS has used since the early 1950s.Article by Ed Spielman
New law classes will be given at Arcadia High School. A list of other new classes and other points of discussion from the Board of Education meeting are included.
A special reception will be held to thank Mary E. Dougherty for her 16 years of service on the Arcadia Board of Education. Her fourth consecutive term expires at the end of June.
The Arcadia Board of Education voted to eliminate nearly nine teaching positions from next year's budget. The jobs cut are in 9th grade math and English, and in English language support in elementary schools.
Arcadia Board of Education selected Genna Helmberger as Arcadia Teacher of the Year for 2003-2004. She is an 8th grade science teacher at Dana Middle School (picture).
The Successful Partners Adult Reading Center (SPARC) of Arcadia, has been awarded a $775 grant from the Laubach Literacy National Book Scholarship Fund (NBSF). The grant will be used to purchase New Readers Press books and other educational resources to promote literacy and good reading habits at home.