The failure of local school districts to release teacher misconduct records has parents and residents expressing concerns about child safety and government transparency. In the wake of recent sexual misconduct scandals in Los Angeles Unified School District, Pasadena Star News requested teacher misconduct records from 28 school districts in San Gabriel Valley. Of those, only Arcadia Unified School District complied fully with the request. The other 27 school districts either refused to turn over documents, asked for clarification or requested more time to look through their records.
Secrecy by school districts blasted. Board of Education members Mike Spencer of West Covina Unified and Ramon Miramontes of Pasadena Unified each called for more transparency from their staffs on the issue of teacher misconduct. Pasadena Star News sent Public Records Act requests to 28 school districts in San Gabriel Valley requesting information on teacher misconduct. While two districts--Arcadia Unified School District and Bonita Unified--have now released information, 26 others have cited employee privacy concerns as a reason to keep their records private.
Arcadia Unified School District celebrates its 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year, Janice Dickson. She is a 4th grade teacher at Longley Way Elementary School.
Arcadia Unified School District's Profiles in Excellence returns as an in-person ceremony after a 2-year halt due to the pandemic. Profiles in Excellence recognizes 12 certificated staff and 12 classified staff. The recipients reflect the district's tagline--Imagine, Inspire and Inquire--and go above and beyond in helping the students, teachers, families and the entire district. Photo of the recipients.
Arcadia Unified School District Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall gives a district update each month in this column. The district celebrated Arcadia Unified Teacher of the Year Jan Dickson.
Man gets 64 years for sexually assaulting three workers at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia. Diego Cervantes, 37, of San Gabriel is a former maintenance supervisor at the mall. He was found guilty of rape and other sexual offenses.
Arcadia Unified School District named to the 2018-2019 Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll for its high achievement in student success for the second consecutive year. Arcadia Unified School District is one of only 26 public school districts to receive this recognition.
Family of murder victim Chyong Jen Tsai, left appalled by District Attorney George Gascon's reforms. Man accused in slaying facing a shorter sentence of 32 years and 4 months-to-life in prison if convicted, instead of life in prison without parole if prosecuted with "special circumstances." Gascon wants judge to dismiss two special circumstance allegations against the accused. Tsai was killed April 9, 2019 at her Arcadia home.
Assemblymember Ed Chau (49th Assembly District) honors "Women of the Year" for their distinguished leadership and volunteer work. The recipients are Patsy Harbicht, Chua B. Hua, Rebecca Huang, Floretta Lauber, Olivia Liao, Rita Padilla, Franca Scorscone, and Amy Wong.
How can you help the Arcadia Educational Foundation? The Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1981 in response to substantially reduced federal and state funding for California public schools, administered by parent and community member trustees, to raise funds for Arcadia Unified School District. AEF runs the annual summer school program, offers $25000 in teacher grants each year, funds district-wide phone and text communication system, and has also funded teacher positions due to state-wide budget cuts.
The California Second District Court of Appeals rejected Mulji Patel's claim that the restitution awarded to Erwin Nepomuceno for $20,250 in lost earnings was excessive. Patel was convicted in March 2009 on two counts of assaults with a deadly weapon for the January 31, 2006 attack on Nepomuceno, a workers' compensation attorney. Patel was a Rockwell International employee and a jury found him sane at the time. Patel was sentenced in May 2009 to 12 years in state prison.
Arcadia High School cross country runner Phillip Rocha receives most prestigious award in high school sports, the Gatorade Runner of the Year. He is the fastest runner in the country.
Spotlight on Arcadia High School junior Phillip Rocha, the Runner of the Year. He wonCIF Southern Section and CIF State Division I titles in cross country.
Arcadia High School's runner Phillip Rocha ran a record CIF Cross Country race with a time of 14:58, the fastest time of the year in California in Division I.
Arcadia Unified School District school board refuses to reinstate James O'Brien as the cross country coach. The school board expressed appreciation for all the individuals who shared their perspectives on the Arcadia High School cross country program at the Board of Education meetings. Mr. O'Brien continues to be employed as a teacher at Arcadia High School. Coaching assignments are made on a year-to-year basis.
Fired Arcadia High School cross country coach James O'Brien questions reason for dismissal. The Arcadia Unified School District's Board of Education upholds its decision to not reappoint Mr. O'Brien as head coach for the 2013-2014 year. He will continue to teach at Arcadia High School.