The Citizen, 2013-04-18, Page 28Following the release of the
Grants for Students Needs (GSN),
the Avon Maitland District School
Board (AMDSB) is looking at a
stand pat year in 2013/2014.
Superintendent of Business Janet
Baird-Jackson said there is not a lot
of change from the 2012/2013 year.
“It is clear that the provincial
challenges around eliminating the
provincial deficit by 2017 remain.
The ‘belt tightening’ continues for
the education sector, with the
2013/2014 funding being slightly
less than the 2012/2013 year.”
Projected revenues from the
Ministry of Education for the
AMDSB are listed at $168,950,413,
as compared to 2012-2013 when
revenues were $172,609,922.
“The biggest changes are in the
implementation of Bill 115 – but we
expected that change – and
obviously declining enrolment –
which is ongoing for us,” she said.
Consistent with the Bill 115
agreement parameters, salary
benchmarks in the GSN reflect the
required unpaid days. Benefits
benchmarks have been reduced by
two per cent for the second year to
reflect the phasing out of the
retirement gratuity expense for
boards.
“The GSN also deals with supply
teacher salaries and the Teacher
Qualification and Experience Grant,
which includes adjustments to
recognize teacher grid movements
halfway through the year,” she said.
“There was no change to special
education funding. There was a two
per cent increase to the school
operation benchmark to recognize
cost pressures for utilities and
insurance, things we have no control
over the cost of,” said Baird-
Jackson, adding a two per cent
benchmark increase was also
experienced in transportation, to
again cover uncontrollable costs
such as fuel.
Baird-Jackson said the best news
out of the GSN is the fact there is no
impact on the classroom.
“The government has tried very
hard to keep cuts away from the
classroom. That is typically their
strategy – they will cut from other
areas such as funding for
computers,” she said. “Any cuts
made do not interfere with the
interaction between teacher and
student in the classroom and the
government has maintained that
approach, but we haven’t seen any
more of those types of cuts this
year.”
The GSN release signalled the
continuation of the Ministry of
Education driving efficiencies in
boards though grant funding
changes. “The government is still
talking about forcing boards to look
at the under-utilized spaces -
something our board has been very
proactive in dealing with. They have
suspended talks about amalgamation
between boards,” said Baird-
Jackson.
The GSN program announced on
March 27, 2013 was well ahead of
the provincial budget. The funding
regulations have already been
passed by the Lieutenant Governor
in Council to keep the board moving
forward in the budget process.
Baird-Jackson said if the
Lieutenant Governor in Council had
not passed the GSN it would have
put the school boards at risk of not
knowing funding until the provincial
budget was passed. “If there is a
non-confidence vote, it would have
pushed any funding announcement
back until at least June,” she
said.
Baird-Jackson said, “Based on the
impact statement, the board may
anticipate overall decreased
operating revenues from the GSN of
approximately $3.66 million
inclusive of Provincial Discussion
Table (PDT) enhancements effective
in the 2013/2014 year.”
Board to stand pat
for 2013/2014 year
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013.Buck and does can still roam in
Central Huron, but changes will
have to be made if municipally-
owned halls are involved.
That was the message delivered by
Michael Pierzchalski of the Alcohol
and Gaming Commission of Ontario
(AGCO) April 2 at the Municipality
of Central Huron’s Committee of the
Whole session.
Council invited the AGCO to
make a presentation in order to get a
better understanding of new rules
that have led the Ontario Provincial
Police (OPP) to pull the plug on
allowing off-duty officers to provide
security services at private events.
The key concern for the OPP and
other stakeholders, said
Pierzchalski, is the provincialgovernment is going in one directionby opening up access to alcoholwhile AGCO is undergoing the
process of tightening the reins on the
laws, many of which have been
ignored since time immemorial.
Though there are types of Special
Occasion Permits, Pierzchalski
wanted to focus his presentation on
private ones, like stag and does,
weddings and bridal showers, since
they are causing the most problems.
Stag-and-doe events break many
of the rules because they are often
advertised, they are for profit and
they have games on site, like 50/50
draws, which are also verboten.
“Isn’t it all about making money
for the bride and groom?” he asked.
To prove his point, Perzchalski
asked council and the gallery how
many people have attended a buck-and-doe event where there hasn’tbeen a game, for-profit liquor salesand over serving. No one raised a
hand.
Pierzchalski said the municipality
must be cognizant of the fact it is on
the legal hook if something
unpleasant at such an event resulted
in a civil lawsuit. He noted there is a
$50-million lawsuit underway in one
Ontario municipality.
Though the rule tightening is not
welcomed in many circles,
Pierzchalski said there are ways to
still hold fundraising events without
breaking the rules, including through
silent auctions, donations, games of
skill, fundraising challenges and
through at-the-door admission
charges.During a question period,Councillor Alex Westerhout said itseems unfortunate society has
become so litigious. Pierzchalski
confirmed it is a contentious issue.
“We’re getting calls,” he said.
“We’re getting calls from brides and
grooms.”
He said ways the municipality can
protect itself is to consider acquiring
licences for its arenas and halls and
have staff operate the bar, which is
something being done in the
Municipality of South Huron. Other
acceptable practices include profit
sharing and accepting a donation or
grant from licence holder.
Steve Campbell, facilities
manager for Central Huron, asked
whether community groups couldcontinue to hold fundraising eventson municipal property. Pierzchalskiconfirmed they can as long as the
rules are followed, including having
council declaring the event as
municipally significant when issuing
the proper approval.
Council was also told the new
provincial rules do open up the hours
of serving liquor at licensed events
and that events can be held almost
anywhere as long as fencing is in
place.“We’re finding licences are
cropping up in the oddest locations,”
he said. Pierzchalski, who was
joined for the presentation by AGCO
colleague Brian Johnston, said due
diligence is the key to avoiding a
costly lawsuit.
AGCO educates Central Huron on buck and does
Charming chimes
The Chime In Choir from Knox United Church in Belgrave, which was just formed recently,
performed several songs at Huronlea Home for the Aged in Brussels on Sunday. The group is
comprised of over 10 members of varying ages and experience levels. They will be performing
at Braemar Home for the Aged in Wingham on Sunday, April 21. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
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