Arcadia Unified School District has faced the reality of mid-year school budget cuts for the past 3 years. To prepare for a possible fourth year of mid-year cuts, the AUSD school board is exploring the option of a parcel tax, an amount to raise hopefully a few million dollars that would help offset what the State is expected to take away. Arcadia School Board Vice President Joann Steinmeier and colleagues are investigating the need for a parcel tax and what form it might take to get passed at the March election.
How can you help the Arcadia Educational Foundation? The Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1981 in response to substantially reduced federal and state funding for California public schools, administered by parent and community member trustees, to raise funds for Arcadia Unified School District. AEF runs the annual summer school program, offers $25000 in teacher grants each year, funds district-wide phone and text communication system, and has also funded teacher positions due to state-wide budget cuts.
Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) releases personalized learning thought exchange results. Personalized Learning is an innovative new campaign led by Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendent David Vannasdall. In May 2017 AUSD utilized a thought-sharing platform called Thought Exchange to facilitate community and student feedback. The report covers five major principles that personalized learning should constitute: 1) Differentiated Learning 2) Class Size and Assistance 3) Individual Learning 4) Students' Current Skill Assessment 5) Parent-Teacher Communication.
Arcadia Unified School District adopts "Common Core," so students in Arcadia will be studying subjects at the same time as students in 46 other states. Teacher Jennifer Prince said Common Core is meant to help students compete in a 21st century national and global economy. See hard copy in VF "Schools--History--2001-2020."
2011 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) scores show a majority of area schools are progressing. California's STAR program assesses public school students' knowledge of the math, English and science in grades 2 through 11. At Arcadia Unified School District, these are the percentage of students who scored proficient or advanced in core subjects: English-Language Arts 83.9%; History 76%; Mathematics 82.4%; Science 84.7%; Science end of course 80.4%. STAR scores from other area schools are given.
Arcadia's parcel tax, Measure A, is validated. It gives schools $17 million over the next 5 years. Residents, with a few exceptions (seniors and those who receive Social Security), will have to pay an additional $228/year to help offset the fiscal deficit the Arcadia Unified School District faces. This Measure A was on the March 13 ballot.
Arcadia Unified School District has launched new online application for its meals program. For each student that qualifies for free or reduced-priced meals, the savings can equal more than $1400 per school year. Under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) adopted by the state, school districts will receive additional money for each student that qualifies. Arcadia High School students that qualify can also waive AP and SAT fees, graduation will be free, and get a reduced rate for Grad Night.
Arcadia Unified School District takes on social media in a new way. AUSD's Public Information Officer Ryan Foran, said, "Social media is an essential tool for our communication outreach plan..." Foran has formed a Digital Communications internship program for Arcadia High School students in advanced communications and journalism.
Arcadia Unified School District school board refuses to reinstate James O'Brien as the cross country coach. The school board expressed appreciation for all the individuals who shared their perspectives on the Arcadia High School cross country program at the Board of Education meetings. Mr. O'Brien continues to be employed as a teacher at Arcadia High School. Coaching assignments are made on a year-to-year basis.
Arcadia Unified School District releases records of two teacher misconduct investigations that resulted in dismissals. The first was 48-year-old Robert Harbicht, a substitute teacher who was found drunk at work. The second was Phillip Sutliff, dismissed from the district in 2007 and sentenced to 12 years in state prison for sexual misconduct (rape) with a girl at Arcadia High School.
Arcadia Unified School District ranked as best place to teach in Los Angeles according to Niche.com and ranked 15th best school district in California.
Arcadia High School's Club Day is an annual event that showcases more than 60 Arcadia High School clubs and celebrates the diversity of its students' interests and passions.
In the wake of the firing of Arcadia High School cross country coach James O'Brien, twelve alumni, students and parents, have joined forces in an intensive effort to recall Arcadia Unified School District Board members Cung Nguyen, Kay Kinsler, and Lori Phillipi. The recall petition is headed by Esmond Wei. One issue is a list of O'Brien's alleged CIF violations that Arcadia High School formally sent to CIF officials. According to Wei, Arcadia High School's principal refused to let O'Brien see the letter. Wei said support for O'Brien is growing. See also p. 8 for related story.
Arcadia Unified School District superintendent David Vannasdall will be paid $205,000 annually, agreed to for a 3-year contract. Vannasdall, 45, was named the district's new chief after Joel Shawn retired. Vannasdall had been deputy superintendent and previously principal of Arcadia High School from 2005 through 2012. His car allowance is $850/month, $150/month for expenses, and a $1,000 annual salary increase if he completes his doctorate degree.
Arcadia Unified School District named to the 2018-2019 Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll for its high achievement in student success for the second consecutive year. Arcadia Unified School District is one of only 26 public school districts to receive this recognition.