Parents and children rallied at three Arcadia middle schools, in an effort to prevent the potential layoffs of 105 Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) teachers and staff, blamed on an anticipated budget shortfall of at least $2 million next school year. Since the campaign started in late January, Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) has raised about $225,000, which will be presented to the AUSD. That is enough to save 3 teachers' positions.
Individual students and the Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) raised about $840,000 for the Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) during its annual appeal last year, enabling the district to reinstate 12 teaching positions. Budget cuts from the state have created "serious challenges" for Arcadia schools over the past 4 years, said AUSD superintendent Joel Shawn.
Arcadia Unified School District fights for fair funding in Sacramento at the 2018 California State Parent Teacher Association (CA PTA) Legislation Conference.
Hundreds of teachers across the San Gabriel Valley are facing layoffs again this summer and experts say cuts could be far more drastic if a solution to the state's budget problems is not reached. About 20,000 teachers in the state have been put on notice that they could be laid off if school districts do not receive the necessary state funding. Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) sent out notices to about 16% of its teachers.
Construction has begun on Arcadia Unified School District's $20 million Performing Arts Center. The 40,000 square feet, state-of-the-art facility is due to open in fall of 2012. It is funded by Measure I.
Arcadia has a new emergency notification system called Alert Arcadia. Anyone can sign up to receive messages via phone voice mail, e-mail, and/or text.
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.
Arcadia Education Foundation awarded $30,000 in mini grants to Arcadia Unified School District teachers. The most popular item asked for was a Google Chrome Book, which are needed on upcoming standardized tests.
Arcadia Unified School District has launched new online application for its meals program. For each student that qualifies for free or reduced-priced meals, the savings can equal more than $1400 per school year. Under the new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) adopted by the state, school districts will receive additional money for each student that qualifies. Arcadia High School students that qualify can also waive AP and SAT fees, graduation will be free, and get a reduced rate for Grad Night.
Help bring the K-9 Unit back to Arcadia. Arcadia Police Foundation is trying to raise funds to create and maintain an Arcadia Police Department K-9 Unit.
Arcadia Unified School District releases records of two teacher misconduct investigations that resulted in dismissals. The first was 48-year-old Robert Harbicht, a substitute teacher who was found drunk at work. The second was Phillip Sutliff, dismissed from the district in 2007 and sentenced to 12 years in state prison for sexual misconduct (rape) with a girl at Arcadia High School.
Arcadia Unified School District upgraded and improved four campuses over summer break, costing nearly $10 million. Funded under the district's $218 million Measure I Bond, the four schools that got updated classrooms and facilities are Arcadia High School, Camino Grove Elementary, Hugo Reid Elementary, and Highland Oaks Elementary schools.
Arcadia Unified School District accepted into national network of innovative school districts, called the League of Innovative Schools, a national coalition of forward-thinking school districts organized by Digital Promise, a nonprofit organization with the mission to accelerate innovation in education and improve the opportunity to learn for all through technology and research.
Making the transition to Common Core State Standards. Arcadia Unified School District recruits in-house teachers, rather than hire outside consultants, to serve as classroom mentors for implementation. The standards align curricula across 46 states and District of Columbia.
Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) Deputy Superintendent Robert Leri has resigned. Arcadia High School Principal David Vannasdall will take on the additional role of Deputy Superintendent March 1 and leave his job as principal at end of school year to become Deputy Superintendent. Other personnel changes within the school district. AUSD is trying to cover a projected $7 million annual budget deficit with a proposed 5-year parcel tax. Arcadia Educational Foundation is doing its annual solicitation.
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's Maki Hsieh is honored as 22nd District's "Woman of the Year" by Senator Susan Rubio. Hsieh is Executive Director of Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation.