A summary of the first full contract between teachers through their union ATA and the Arcadia Unified School District since the Rodda Act became law in 1975.
By a 3-2 vote, the School Board authorized the Superintendent of Schools to sign an assurance of compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974. This assures non-discrimination against the handicapped.
Teachers are looking for an effective way to show the School Board just how unhappy they are over their failure to support an override election which might have funded a 15.4% pay raise.
With the passage of the Rodda Bill, teachers must be represented by a single bargaining agent. Undoubtedly, unions will merge. The Rodda Bill allows bargaining on: wages, hours and working conditions which take some jurisdiction from 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.
Arcadia teachers picketed the open house at Arcadia High School to protest the 1978-79 raise offered by the Arcadia Board of Education. The teachers claim they received a 3.5% salary adjustment (vs. the average San Gabriel Valley increase of 5.5%) while the Board claims a 5% increase retroactive to December 1, 1978.
The Arcadia Board of Education will ratify a contract with the Arcadia Teachers Association. Still to be settled are contracts with classified employees and with the Arcadia Pupil Support Services Association.
Battle lines seem to be drawn between the residents of the area, who want 0-2 dwelling units per acre as the general plan calls for, and owner Lowery McCaslin, who would like 0-4.
The School Board has passed and adopted a new teachers salary schedule for 1975-76. The teachers unions have not yet ratified the agreement. Salaries range from $9553 for a first year teacher to $19,918 for a teacher with extra college credits, including an MA.
Fire Chiefs of 19 Foothill cities met this spring and have worked out a strike force plan for more efficient fire fighting. Since the dry conditions make this potentially the worst fire season since 1920, this could mean great savings. A strike force will consist of 5 units directed by a team leader.
Teachers and parents at Camino Grove and Holly Avenue elementary schools are in communication with the Arcadia Board of Education to restore the School Improvement Program.
The School Board will change the opening day of school so as not to conflict with Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. What the opening day will be has not yet been determined.
Filing opens December 26 for candidates for three seats on the School Board. The seats up for re-election are: Lewis May - just completed his first 4 year term; George Frempter - 8 years; Gloria Horstman - appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of Gary Mills. The election will be held April 5.