Some teachers began picketing in front of the district offices. At issue were charges of stalling on negotiations and the 1% increase offer by the School Board which the teachers called "an insult." Superintendent Ed Ryan said that if the two unions had been able to get together on their demands the problem might have been resolved by now.
With the tax base increase having been approved by the voters on April 15, both Unions representing teachers in Arcadia presented new contract terms to the School Board.
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.
Thirty-two first year teachers and various administrators have received notices that they may not be rehired. If a revenue increase fails in the April 1975 election, Arcadia will be $1 million short.
Crime statistics for the first half of 1979 show a 4.6% overall increase in crime in Arcadia, despite a decrease in the number of violent crimes. This compares to an overall increase of 5.2% for the larger San Gabriel area.
A final tentative budget for the 1978-79 school year has been adopted by the Arcadia Board of Education. The final figure was set at $15.4 million, but will probably be revised as state formulas affect the budget during the year.
Arcadia, along with several other communities in the San Gabriel Valley, face termination of animal control services now rendered by the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. This agency will discontinue services as of June 30, 1978.
The California Teachers Association has advised the Arcadia Teachers Association to reopen negotiations on salaries for the current year. The 3-year Arcadia contract has no provision for increases in local teachers' salaries.
The Arcadia Teachers Association has objected to the Board of Education's counterproposals to the teachers' contract proposals. Article indicates what the proposals of both groups are.
The preliminary 1978-79 Arcadia School District budget has been approved. Public hearings will be held in September prior to the passage of the final budget.
James Helms, Jr. has been installed as President of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for 1978-79. Article includes a biographical sketch and plans for the Chamber's coming year.
Sondra Lacey of Arcadia served on the 1978-79 Los Angeles County Grand Jury as chairman of the Social and Human Services Committee. Article outlines her activities.
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.