An addition to the High School Little Theater has been approved for a bid of $67,350. The addition will be used for set design, etc. The $20,000 cost increase over what had been tentatively set did not please the School Board.
The Arcadia City Council voted to authorize closure of California St. between Santa Anita and First Avenue so that the Arcadia School District can install temporary classrooms while First Avenue School is being rebuilt.
New principals have been named for three Arcadia elementary schools. Jim Gerhardt has been named to head Holly Avenue. Charles Jarboe requested a transfer from Highland Oaks and was assigned to Camino Grove. Mrs. Suzanne Burton will replace Mr. Jarboe at Highland Oaks.
Bruce Polay has been named the new conductor of the Arcadia High School orchestra. The 28 year old teacher had been teaching at Long Beach High School.
The Arcadia Board of Education turned down a recommendation to shorten the last week of school at the high school. The recommendation was that for the last week, Monday would be a full day, while Tuesday through Thursday would be half days.
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.
The Arcadia Police Department, along with several company agencies, is investigating the Pat Hillings Travel Agency in Arcadia, now owned by David Pressman. The alleged fraud reportedly involved the sale of airline tickets by the agency.
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.
Efforts to put together a working Alumni Association have been given the OK by the School Board. The first meeting will be June 8, 1974. Craig Lucas ('64) is the acting chairman.
A new regional federally funded program, called NERBIT (Northeast Regional Burglary Investigative Team) went into operation July 1, 1975. While Arcadia is not a participant due to a man-power shortage, Police Chief Martin expects spin-off benefits to accrue to the city.