Loading...
The Citizen, 1990-04-04, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990. PAGE 15. Bd. of Ed. says ‘not yet’to junior kinderyarten After a lengthy discussion at their meeting on April 2. the Huron County Board of Education trustees voted 11 to four in favour of a recommendation stating they would not take any action on junior kindergarten at this time. For nearly three-quarters of an hour the trustees voiced their concerns over the provincial legis­ lation that says all school boards will be required to implement junior kindergarten programming for four-year-olds by 1994. The majority of the trustees felt that such a program would place extra financial strain on the taxpayers in addition to having to deal with the problems of space, transportation and teachers for the children. In a report presented to the board. Director of Education Bob Allan said that 630 to 642 children would be affected by the change in the next four years. Transporting of these students would not be funded by any grants and would involve just over 300 students. Mr. Allan explained that only six to 10 schools in the county had the available space and additional classrooms would be required at 14 to 18 schools with varying costs depending on whether the Board decides on portable or semi-port­ able additions. An additional 14 to 18 teachers w’ould be required with the possi­ bility of using teaching assistants. Recruitment, he says, would be difficult but not impossible. The basis of the program is on child-centred activities which would meet the needs of each student in a flexible learning environment. Children could ad­ vance through several developmen­ tal stages like problem solving and oral language. The program may be integrated with senior kinder­ garten. The start-up costs, according to Conservation award nominees invited The Maitland Valley Conserva­ tion Authority (MVCA) is inviting the public to make nominations for the Authority’s 1990 Conservation Awards. The proper management of soil and water resources is vital to everyone. These resources provide the basis for our local economy and give us a pleasant place to live. To encourage the wise use of soil and water the MVCA will again be recognizing individuals, and groups who have made a signifi­ cant contribution to the conserva­ tion of local natural resources. “An award could be presented for any of a number of conservation practices, including tree planting, preserving or restoring wetlands, forest management, or conserva­ tion farm practices, to name a few’’, said Paul Weitendorf, MVCA Community Relations Co­ ordinator. For more information, or to nominate an individual or group contact the Maitland Valley Con­ servation Authority at 335-3557. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of MVCA Directors. There are two levels of awards presented. The Conservation Award of Distinction will be given to those making a long-term, outstanding commitment to con­ servation. To recognize and en­ courage shorter-term contribu­ tions, Certificates of Appreciation are presented. The deadline for nominations is May 26, 1990. The presentation of the awards will take place at the summer general meeting of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority to be held in August. Mr. Allan, equal $5,400 per class and the existing equipment in senior kindergartens may be used in some cases. Mr. Allan said that a realistic cost per class would be $3,000 to $4,000. Mr. Allan says that the govern­ ment has announced learning materials grants of $3,000 per class with a limit of $2,000,000 will be available as will capital grants limited to $100,000,000 for class­ room construction. Direct staff costs he stated would range from $648,570 to $882,858. Howick Township trustee Norm Wilson opened the discussion with a statement which suggested that the board “turn thumbs down” saying that the program will put the board in a defensive position as those who want the program will complain if it’s not started while taxpayers will be angry at the mill rate increase. “I think if we could hold off until 1994, the monies we will save will surpass any grants we may re­ ceive.” he said. “Also, I feel strongly that by Grade 5 for example it will be difficult to tell the student who had Junior Kinder­ garten from the one who did not.’’ 750 Jeep.1RYSLER 2.5 LITRE ENGINE, 5 SPD. TRANSMISSION FENDER FLARES, SKID PLATE, GUAGE PKG. ENGINE BLOCK HEATER, DUAL MIRRORS, ROLL BAR, DENIM SEATS, SPARE TIRE, STABILIZER BAR OPEN WEEKDAYS TIL 9 P.M., SATURDAY TIL 5 P.M *PLUS FREIGHT [$490] & TAXES ONLY IN A JEEP AND ONLY AT Morris and Turnberry Townships trustee Brian Jeffray then made a motion to adopt a plan to imple­ ment junior kindergarten in each elementary school over a five year period, which was seconded by Goderich trustee Rick Rompf. Norman Pickell, another trustee for Goderich, said that he is against the motion feeling that the board should take the lead of Waterloo County who had asked HCBE for their support in opposing the implementation. “We can’t afford it and 1 don’t think Ontario can afford it,” Mr. Pickell said. “We are already faced with a teacher shortage and space problems and 1 think the Ministry of Education is using this as a ploy to take the heat off day care.” McKillop Township trustee Graeme Craig supported Mr. Pick­ ell adding that he hoped that before 1994 someone in the Ministry will open their eyes and see that this isn’t a good move. Mr. Rompf responded to these comments by saying that while he could sympathize and agree with what Mr. Pickell and Mr. Craig were saying he was concerned over what incentives would be lost if they don’t act on the program. “If it is going to be rammed down our throat anyway, then we might as well make sure we get the incen­ tives offered by the government,” he said. Mr. Jeffray pointed out that the board should be realistic. “We must look at our track record in regards with the ministry. A letter was sent to them stating how we felt and their response was to remind us that we are in a minority with most other school boards already having this program in place,” he stated. “There is a demand out there; it’s popular with young parents; and we must make use of available funds instead of perhaps being hit with a bomb a few years down the road.” Zurich trustee Bea Dawson then made an amendment to the motion requesting that it be changed to being implemented over a multiple year span as opposed to setting it at five years. “I think we have to get on with progress and take advant­ age of the funds available, but move slowly,” she added. Blyth-Hullett trustee John Jewitt said that he thought the motion was perhaps too ambitious. “I think it would be wise of us to start small and let the communities prove that they want it. I have seen no indication that they do,” he said. Mr. Pickell countered, “But if we do that where do we start? If we’re going to do it it will have to be all.” Mr. Craig then requested that if the discussion is finished could the board have a recorded vote. Both the amendment and the motion were voted down, following which Mr. Craig made a motidn to take no action at this time. This would enable the board to apply for grants leaving the door open a crack while waiting for future information. Chair Joan Van den Broeck commented that she felt this was a decision she was comfortable with. “While it would give some of us satisfaction to say no to the province, they define the rules and regulations, it is not our mandate,” she stated. “We must bear in mind that this is something that this board would not have to live with. It would be the boards in the future. But, I am comfortable with the motion you have made. It leaves the door open. It is a topic that will come up again for us.”