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.
In a surprise move, the School Board voted to accept Federal funds under Title I. The monies will go to Bonita Park Elementary School to reinforce the education of culturally deprived children in reading and math.
Senate Bill 275 (Ding Bill), which provides for collective bargaining, binding arbitration, and the right to strike, is causing great conflict between the School Board and teachers in the Arcadia district. The Board has voted 5-0 to support the Winston Act and oppose any State legislation that would replace its provisions. The Winston Act was passed in 1969 and required that School Boards meet and confer in good faith with teachers in determining salary schedules, fringe benefits, and working conditions.
James Harvey, concluding his second 4 year term, will not seek re-election. Don Fickas, whose term also expires in 1977, has not decided whether or not to seek another term. Filing dates for the April 19 election are January 20 through February 18.
Since October 1975 a committee of citizens, teachers and
administrators have been studying requirements for graduation from high school. They recommend raising the units needed to graduate from 160 to 170. The School Board will vote on this proposal on April 14.
The Arcadia Board of Education has been studying the legal status and requirements of driver education. So far driver education has not been offered at Arcadia High School this year.
The Arcadia Board of Education approved a tentative $16.7 million budget. Included was an increase in special education programs. The figures are only estimates and will depend in part on any state school finance formulas to be decided.
Two ad hoc committees have been established to help the Board of Education make a final ruling on two major problems: Smoking (recent legislation has made smoking on campus legal at the discretion of the local school board) and Graduation requirements.
The ever-present philosophic differences among School Board members over whether or not to accept Federal funds has come up again. It appears that a May-Horstman-Frempter coalition, which is against accepting Federal funds could block Title I applications.