The Board of Education has made its "final" offer to the teachers, but contract agreement is still a long way off. The proposed salary schedule for 1981-82 is still under consideration.
The Arcadia Teachers Association has presented a 75 page document outlining their requests as negotiations open for the 1980-81 school year. The teachers are asking for a pay raise, the option of dental care for dependents and binding arbitration of grievances.
Dr. Ed Ryan, district superintendent, told the Board of Education that the teaching staff in the Arcadia School District must be reduced next year by 30. There are several reasons for the cut, including decreased enrollment and lack of funds. Plans for that reduction and the position of the Arcadia Teachers Association are discussed.
Thirteen negotiating sessions have been held since March yet the teachers and the Board of Education are still at odds. The Board is reluctant to give up its authority over the disputed matters of transfers, evaluation and grievance arbitration.
Negotiating teams for the Arcadia Teachers Association and the Board of Education have declared an impasse. Letters will be sent to the Public Employees Relations Board which may appoint a mediator. If the mediator is unable to resolve the differences, a fact finding panel may be selected.
The Arcadia Teachers Association has filed charges with the Public Employees Relations Board claiming the Arcadia Unified School District has acted illegally in its dealings with the teachers.
A group of 350-400 teachers and supporters staged a demonstration and rally before the school board meeting to express their views on the deadlocked negotiations. A mediator sent out by the Public Employees Relations Board was in the district Monday but nothing was accomplished.
Jean Voznick, president of the Arcadia Teachers Association, presented the teachers' case to the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce. Some of her statements were later rebutted by Superintendent Ed Ryan.
Arcadia teachers have decided to give negotiations one more chance before walking out. The transfer policy is the stumbling block to the end of the negotiations.
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.
Contract negotiations between Arcadia Teachers Association and school district remain at standstill, according to John Sinclair, Associate superintendent.
Protest by about 1/3 of 300 teachers in Arcadia Unified School District on stalemate in contract negotiations at school board meeting. ATA President Priscilla Tedesco and other teachers appeared before microphone to protest.
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.
Tentative contract agreement was reached last Friday between the Arcadia Teachers Association and the school district following a full year of negotiations.