Mimi Hennessy, Superintendent of Arcadia Unified School District, writes in response to anonymous letter about the district's vehicle perquisite, after a district vehicle was involved in an accident in Las Vegas.
Arcadia Weekly columnists: Mimi Hennessy, superintendent of Arcadia Schools, p. 4; Albert Ramirez, p. 12; Brian Lottman, "Seniors Page," p. 18; Ethel Mitty, "Seniors Page," p. 19; Mathy Mezey, "Seniors Page" p. 19.
The robotics program in Arcadia schools was the main topic of the state of the district presentation to the Arcadia Rotary Club last week. Superintendent Mimi Hennessy discusses the financial state of the school district.
A profile of Dr. Mildred Burgdorf-Hennessy who has been named Superintendent designee for the Arcadia Unified School District and will replace current Superintendent Dr. Terrence M. Towner on his retirement August 1.
Governor Gray Davis has signed into law a bill allowing telephone and Internet wagering on horse races in California. The bill was authored by Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg.
Christina Aragon, Assistant Superintendent of business services at Arcadia Unified School District, totaled her district car that she uses as a personal vehicle. It is part of her salary package. Arcadia School Board members and Superintendent Mimi Hennessy defended Aragon in media coverage.
The Arcadia Board of Education has adopted a $63.9 million General Fund budget for the coming year. The budget contains reductions across the board, with 10% cuts at schools, a reduction in categorical programs and no cost of living increase from the state.
Arcadia City Manager Bill Kelly is skeptical about the way the State of California balanced this year's budget. The State promises to pay cities back for sales tax to be used to pay off $10.7 billion in loans. The maneuver, known as the "triple flip" will take half of the cities' sales tax revenue for the next five years, and pay it back out of property taxes now earmarked for schools. Arcadia will lose 25% of its vehicle license fee reimbursement, around $750,000. Arcadia is in good shape this year and next, primarily because of a healthy reserve fund. After 2004-2005, unless some solutions are in place, the city could face some hard times.
Local historian Daniel Hennessy talked about Arcadia police officer Albert Matthies, the only police officer killed in the line of duty and the trial of the suspects thereafter, at the Gilb Museum on October 21.
The City of Arcadia faces mid-year budget cuts as the state has its own budget problems. Arcadia will have to sustain a $2.9 million cut this year, a loss of funds that comes from vehicle license fees.
Governor Gray Davis issued an order requiring retail businesses to reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting wattage during non-business hours. The Arcadia Police Department seeks compliance from local businesses.
Arcadia Unified School District continues decades-long advocacy for fair funding from the state. A dozen delegates from Arcadia went to Sacramento for the California State Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Legislation Conference, where they discussed key issues in public education, such as funding for mental health resources and arts programs, continued budget cuts and more. Arcadia High School student delegates Isaac Offstein, Joya Sarkar and Chloe Wong, met with State Senator Susan Rubio (D-49), State Senator Anthony Portantio (D-25) and Assemblyman Mike Fong (AD-49).
Arcadia Unified School District is looking to cut 10% of its budget for district offices and school sites in preparing the budget for the 2003-2004 school year.
Two men suspected of robbing the California State Bank on Huntington Drive on February 5th have been arrested. Roosevelt Davis of Duarte and Steven Wesley Berry of Ontario are being held in the Arcadia City Jail.
The Arcadia Board of Education voted to eliminate nearly nine teaching positions from next year's budget. The jobs cut are in 9th grade math and English, and in English language support in elementary schools.
Reserve funds that were set aside for city infrastructure improvements may have to be used to deal with state budget cuts, as proposed by city manager Bill Kelly.