A recent meeting between Asian parents, police and school district members was quite successful, School Board Member Robert Kladifko told the Board. He said recent fights between Asians and Caucasians at the Arcadia High School and the Arcadia Library were not racially motivated.
Inter-racial problems at Arcadia High School are not as bad as they have been made out to be, according to 2 Associated Student Body officers, but the problems there are, they said, can be blamed on both Asians and Caucasians.
Responding to a report of tensions between Caucasian and Asian students at Arcadia High School, Superintendent of Schools, Elbert Souders said the problem is "very small" and is being addressed by the district.
Arcadia Council PTA is joining with Parent Alert in sponsoring two town meetings to encourage parents and other citizens to join a community-wide campaign aimed at fighting school age substance abuse. Meeting to be held at 7:45 P.M. on succeeding Wednesdays, Nov. 2 and 9 at First Avenue Junior High School auditorium.
There was a large crowd of parents at the school board meeting where the closure of two elementary schools was discussed. The board will make its final decision after the public hearings have been held on December 10 and January 8.
Arcadia in 1989 is a changing city. Officials estimate Asians now comprise 15 to 17 % of the population and 27% of the student body. Minorities, including Hispanics, blacks and American Indians total 35% of the school enrollment.
There appears to be some progress in contract negotiations between the Arcadia Unified School District and the Arcadia Teachers Association. Though officials were reluctant to talk about specifics, fear of a strike by the teachers has been allayed.
At a meeting of about 200 Anoakia School parents, directors of the school, which has operated on the former estate of Anita Baldwin for 48 years, explained the reasons the school wants to relocate after June 1990. Lowry McCaslin, who owns the property, wants to develop the 20 acre estate.
About 1,000 local Taiwanese-Americans protested a proposed anti-secession law Saturday outside the Chinese Consulate General office in Los Angeles. Arcadia resident James Liang was one such protester.
Parents attending the school board meeting pressed for increased substance abuse education. The board expressed a reluctance to expand the program at the expense of more basic courses.
Developer Rick Caruso spoke to a crowd of more than 800 people at the Arcadia Masonic Temple about plans for The Shops at Santa Anita at a Planning Commission meeting. The public was invited to voice their opinions in 3-minute blocks of time. Caruso had supporters among police and firefighters unions, Chamber of Commerce, Arcadia Unified School District, several homeowners associations, and city officials. 369 people at the meeting signed a petition opposing the project.
Arcadia's officials, harboring "serious concerns" about a massive expansion plan for the Santa Anita Park property, want to meet with owner Frank Stronach. An artist's rendering of the proposal is included.
The Arcadia Council PTA in cooperation with Parent Alert has organized evening programs for parents of all 5th and 6th grade, junior and senior high school students. The programs are designed to offer education on drug abuse.
Dr. Robert and Mrs. Bell discuss the activities and services of Parent Alert. Over 75 families have been involved over the past two years in the support group aimed at helping educate parents about drugs.
About 200 Arcadia teachers marched outside prior to the Arcadia School Board meeting to protest what they called delays in negotiating a contract for the 1987-88 school year.