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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-04-24, Page 27Light the Way Leslie Switzer, a co-founder of Light the Way Children's Fund International, spoke to the Grade 3/4 class at Grey Central Public School about the program and taught them a dance for the school's spring concert which was held April 15. Students have been collecting pennies for the fund. HCBE clarifies amalgamation FRI. - TUES. / APRIL 26 - 30 7PM NITELY MIKE NICHOLS GENE HACKMAN DIANNE WIEST NL J 1\t,„ znd 4i:•‘;:i`WEEK ROBIN WILLIAMS NATHAN LANE PARENTAL Rpm "'THE BIRDCAGE' IS THE FALLING-DOWN t FUNNIEST COMEDY YOU'LL SEE THIS YEAR!" 1.rnr•h•111 1(11111 ,111M ' FRI.-THURS. * I — APR. 26 - MAY 02 FRI. - TUES. 8:45 P.M. WED. & THURS. 8 P.M LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-2 -3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1996 PAGE 27. Ed. tax not the punch anticipated The Huron County Board of Education has responded to media and public enquiries to clarify its intent respecting board amalgamation as part of its response to the Sweeney Report. The controversial document filed with the Minister of Education in February calls for the establishment of four school boards in the four- county region. Two of these would be amalgams of the Huron and Perth, and the Bruce and Grey County Boards of Education. The Huron County Board of Education response to the Sweeney recommendations concurs with the need for education finance reform, offers to reduce the number of local • trustees, acknowledges a smaller central administration, but asks for an alternate structure that would also create four area boards in this region. Huron is seeking some form of 'amalgamation' on a geographic basis, by county, which would allow existing groups to come together in some fashion that guarantees existing constitutional language and religious rights. In a clarification, Board Chair Roxanne Brown stated, "If we could just set aside the 'turf' considerations for a moment, there must be some constitutionally acceptable way to respect and protect minority interests in a new system." Trustees stated that, "if we truly seek partnership and collaboration — in the spirit of working for academic excellence, fiscal equity and cost efficiency — we can find a way to provide for all sectors." It was felt that ways can be found to preserve the independence of language and religious rights for Roman Catholics and other denominational groups, for French Language students and for the board amalgam that comprises the existing 'public' education system. A 'community education' authority, would be one approach. Such an authority brings disparate groups together, is working well in other jurisdictions where 'separate' and 'public' schools work within the same education authority. Boards can combine business administration, operations, purchasing and plant maintenance, transportation, and management of health and safety into one cohesive unit. Yet, they can protect the independent, values-laden culture of school programs in the various school components of a new combined authority. There is no effort here to take over any other jurisdiction. What trustees seek is a dialogue to explore meaningful ways of extending partnership in the interests of supporting student programs and finding new savings for the taxpayer. Common sense says that combining business functions can reduce overall costs. The HCBE believes that community continuity with corresponding political boundaries for municipal and school beard authorities is desirable. Huron County is seen to be the right-sized political jurisdiction. The combined population base and the revised student enrolment base will create a viable and economical education governance unit. Yes, there will be fewer trustees, fewer administrators and a small working core at the centre of such a new system. And saved dollars, if not all required to meet future transfer payment reductions, can be redirected to support classroom needs. A 'common education authority' will NOT be a panacea. But with a full effort and commitment on the part of all component groups, it can work with efficiency to serve the needs of all students in a manner that respects differences, protects minority situations; and acknowledges that there is only ONE taxpayer. The concept must, at the least, receive thoughtful discussion. The final numbers are in and Huron County taxpayers will not be hit as hard by education tax increases as initially anticipated. After eight and a half months of planning for the expected $3 mil- lion reduction in transfer payments, the Huron County Board of Educa- tion has announced an average impact of four per cent. This total will vary depending on the effect of the county's re-evaluation of mar- ket value assessment, says Janet Baird-Jackson, superintendent of business with the HCBE. The taxes per $100,000 assess- ment will be $1,002.60 annually. Having reduced the 1996 spend- ing level by $2 million, less a one time retirement gratuity, permanent spending reductions and additional downsizing are set to achieve simi- lar spending cuts in the next two years, she says. The trimming of the budget was accomplished by reducing school staff through normal attrition, retirements and a small retirement incentive. No layoffs are anticipat- ed and no program cuts are required. The reduction of staff at the ele- mentary level has been balanced with a reasonable level of support staff which will work with technol- ogy as well as classroom and library support. Secondary school adjustments recognize a new direction for pro- grams at that level. The cumulative effect will result in annual multi-million dollar sav- ings, says Director of Education for the HCBE Paul Carroll. "It will be helpful, in the future, to the board and local taxpayers and will also avoid program decimation as the HCBE slashes spending Summary of spending cuts implemented for 1996 and compared to the 1993 level, the year with the highest expenituYe level since 1991. Total budget-$63,875,773 of 1993; $60,803,215 in 1996 Driver education-1993 level, $142,432; in 1996, $0 Capital repair projects- $3,483, 558 down to $730,000 Regular day school- $36,865,809 reduced to $36,477,504 Special education- $4,658,460 down to $4,056,076 Summer school-cut from $34,803 to $27,100 Transportation-dropped to $4,041,096 form $4,136,466 Pay equity contingency- $35,000 to $0 Reserve-$500,000 down to $0 Reductions balanced by increases in other areas. CAPITOL THEATRE 291-3070 All Seats $4.25 LISTOWEL Dolby Surround Sound Stereo STARTS FRIDAY April 26 - May 2 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. SGT. BILKO Rated I ( Steve Merlin, Den Akyroyd) April 27 & 28 Saturday & Sunday Matinee (2 p.m.) ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN 2 (32. matinee only) board moves through the next two years of provincially-mandated downsizing." Administration at the board office has also been reduced with transfers to school-based support teams. Transportation costs have been cut through the deferral of capital expenditures and will only be fur- ther reduced through extended part- nerships with co-terminus boards, says Carroll. Planned renovation work at Goderich District Collegiate Insti- tute and an upgrading of science labs at F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham will proceed with the Ministry of Education and Training's announcement of Facili- ty Renewal Program grants, later in the year. During the past three years, while the board has cut spending from $63,875,773 to $60,803,215, rev- enues have also been affected by Buck& Doe for Sharon Bos & Doug Tyler Sat. April 27, 1996 9 -1 Age of Majority Phone 523-9564 for information In Celebration of 50 rears of Marriage Les and Shirley Rutledge and Family are hosting a 50th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, May 4, 1996 at Blyth United Church from 2 - 4 p.m. Best Wishes Only Please government policies. In 1993, provincial grants accounted for 53.2 per cent of the board's revenue, already down 2 1/2 per cent from the prior year. By 1996, the province contributed just 44.9 per cent of the board's needs. During the same period municipal revenue jumped from )7.8 per cent to 46.7 per cent. Incidental revenues from such items as tuitions, rentals, bus sales and federal government had dropped from 8.9 per cent to 7.7 per cent. Happy 16th Joanne Love — Mom, Dad, Jeff and Sadie Forthcoming Marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jacobus Verburg and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Exel are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children Brenda Annette and Gerald Abraham. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 11, 1996.