At the Board of Education meeting there was some discussion of the Space Utilization Committee's recommendation to close two elementary schools, Bonita Park and Baldwin Stocker. Robert Kladifke, a member of the committee, objected to closing the newest and most educationally modern school in the district, Baldwin Stocker. Two public hearings are scheduled.
Two of Arcadia's wells, Longden 1 and Longden 2, have been closed for months following the discovery of TCE. Now PCE has been discovered. The city is considering a TCE/PCE removal plant.
For the first time in its history, the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency has authorized using its power of eminent domain to acquire properties specifically for redevelopment. The agency voted to use that power to acquire a construction yard on Santa Clara Avenue known as the Bong property and other properties on the north side of Huntington Drive, between Second Avenue and the Santa Anita Wash.
Two elementary schools, Bonita Park and Baldwin Stocker, have been recommended for closure by the Space Utilization Committee. The Board of Education will analyze the recommendations and schedule public hearings before making a decision.
Petitions are being circulated that are aimed at thwarting the possible closure of two elementary schools. The savings would amount to only .7% of an $18 million school budget - not enough to justify closing the schools, according to the parents of students at Bonita Park and Baldwin Stocker.
Todd Dickson, a 12-year-old student at Baldwin Stocker School, has won a trip to Spain. Parade Magazine conducted a contest for news carriers across the country. Todd joins 139 other carriers for his two week trip.