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.
The Arcadia Board of Education ratified a new contract with the district's teachers by a 4-1 vote, but with some reservations about a binding arbitration provision (which would have district-teachers disputes resolved by a 3rd party). The contract includes a 10% salary increase for 1984/85 and an increase from a 177-day a year student school year to 180 days, along with lengthier instructional time per day.
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 prospect of a strike by Arcadia teachers looms large, after negotiations between school district and teachers' associations officials broke off Wednesday, August 15. The negotiations ended after the 2 parties failed to reach a settlement on their year-long salary dispute. No new talks have been scheduled.
Two-thirds of Arcadia's school teachers have resigned from the district PTA in the wake of a dispute over a chapter president's support for their unresolved contract negotiations.
A tentative 3-year salary and fringe benefit contract agreement was reached between Arcadia teachers and the district, averting a teacher's walkout that had threatened the district since January.
A small group of teachers, dissatisfied with an 8.5% salary increase, may go on strike. Both the Arcadia Teachers Association and the American Federation of Teachers local have disavowed the action.
Little progress seen in talks with teachers. Neither the district nor the teachers, who are represented by the ATA, have moved from their original salary positions. District is offering 1% increase; the teachers are asking 8% plus 2% in fringe benefits.
Contract negotiations between the Arcadia Teachers Association and the school district have been postponed and talks won't resume until middle of July. Still at issue are salaries, fringe benefits and binding arbitration.
A public hearing is scheduled Monday night by the Arcadia Board of Education on the initial contract proposal by the district's classified employees. They are members of the California School Employees Association, Chapter 40, and are seeking a 10% salary increase.
Salary negotiations are still underway with teachers insisting that no strike is planned. Specific salaries are given for various levels: 1. beginning - $9012 2. average - $14,254 3. maximum with masters degree after 14 years - $18,589
Jeff Dring discusses postponement of the lawsuit against the city of Arcadia. Dring contends that a demurer filed by Arcadia, asking dismissal of the case, takes precedent over the preliminary injunction sought by the plaintiffs.
According to El Monte City Attorney Sidney Malek, El Monte's suit against Arcadia is a dispute over a major landfill, pollution of the water table, spheres of influence of various cities, and the industrialization of Southeast Arcadia. But Arcadia City Attorney Michael Miller claims its real purpose is political.
Arcadia Teachers settled their year-long contract dispute with the school district following 2 marathon bargaining sessions. Now the talks must be approved by the Arcadia School Board and by Arcadia teachers.
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.