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.
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.
In a surprise move, the School Board voted to accept Federal funds under Title I. The monies will go to Bonita Park Elementary School to reinforce the education of culturally deprived children in reading and math.
The Arcadia Board of Education will ratify a contract with the Arcadia Teachers Association. Still to be settled are contracts with classified employees and with the Arcadia Pupil Support Services Association.
The local chapter of the California School Employees Association has made an initial proposal to the Arcadia Board of Education. The CSEA chapter is requesting a 21.5% raise in salaries.
The Arcadia Teachers' Association and the Arcadia School Board have tentatively agreed to resolve unfair labor practices complaints following an informal hearing at the Los Angeles office of the Public Employees Relations Board.
Two ad hoc committees have been established to help the Board of Education make a final ruling on two major problems: Smoking (recent legislation has made smoking on campus legal at the discretion of the local school board) and Graduation requirements.
The California Teachers Association has filed charges with the Public Employees Relations Board against 16 area schools including Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte. The charges relate to actions taken as a result of Proposition 13.