The Citizen, 1996-11-06, Page 7WEST WAWANOSH MUTUAL A
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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1996 PAGE 7.
Ed. Director responds to slanderous attacks
By Janice Becker
There was frustration, barely sup-
pressed anger, dismay and disbelief
in the board room of the Huron
County Board of Education, Nov.
4, when they were forced to deal
with a public outcry regarding
unfair competition with the private
sector.
Director of Education Paul Car-
roll told the trustees of the hostile
and slanderous e-mail and letters
which had been received by his
office over the past week and a
half, regarding a Huron Public Edu-
cation Foundation plan to sell com-
puters to school children and the
board's association with HOME-
town Community Network, an
internet provider.
A county internet provider
implied that the HCBE was unfair-
ly competing with the private sec-
tor, providing teachers, students
and their families with less expen-
sive equipment and internet time,
subsidizing a money-losing internet
provider and pressuring customers
to switch to a specific provider or
risk losing that service. Remarks
were also issued about HCBE staff
and Carroll.
In detailing the matter, which has
brought such a strong public reac-
tion, Carroll said his first response
was to try and deal with each com-
plaint in a calm and responsible
manner, talking with complainants,
then sending off the material
received to the board's lawyer.
He would have liked to deal with
the complaints on a personal basis,
said Carroll, but was not invited to
a meeting with Huron MPP Helen
Johns regarding the issue. Nor had
those writing the letters requested a
meeting with board members.
Some of the difficulty arose with
regards to the function of the
recently-formed foundation, a cor-
poration whose mandate is to
fundraise in support of public edu-
cation.
"Because of downsizing (budget
cuts) we've had to beef up revenue
generation. A non-profit foundation
was created as a fundraiser," said
Carroll. "A solicitor reviewed the
organization and said everything
was fine."
"Unfortunately, a lot of things
have to be sold though schools and
a tri-party agreement was set up" to
create a partnership for internet ser-
vice. This group involved HOME-
town, in co-operation with public
libraries, the Education Network of
Ontario, which is supported by the
Teacher's Federation and funded by
the Ministry of Education and
Huron Public Education to develop
a partnership which would result in
700 internet sites across the county.
In creating these partnerships,
there has to be a benefit both ways,
said Carroll.
"We tried to pull together an
amalgam with minimum public
expense and maximum participa-
tion from community sources.
Interconnections with the phone
service to eliminate long distance
charges were developed and equip-
ment had to be installed. As we
built the system, we attempted to
bring in private sector partners, b'ut
did not have a lot of success."
"I will admit there are problems
with the way things were done
(such as a pamphlet issued by one
school, eliciting the purchase of
computer equipment and financing
through a specific organization),
but I would have liked to sit down
and solve the problems together."
Several trustees said they had
received numerous calls about the
selling of computer equipment to
students and families, indicating
the line should have been drawn
there for fundraising sales.
"The advertisement was on the
open market," said Colleen Schenk,
trustee for Wingham. "It was not
just the students who will see it."
Schenk also questioned the
board's responsibility for mainte-
nance of machines sold through the
foundation.
"It is not my understanding that
there is a responsibility for techni-
cal support. We are trying to devel-
op partnerships for service where
the benefit flows both ways, but
have not yet been successful," said
Carroll.
After hearing at least three
trustees mention a lack of informa-
tion tothem regarding the selling of
computers through the foundation,
Abby Armstrong, trustee for Bay-
field and Stanley Twp., said she
was absolutely disgusted with the
behaviour of other trustees. "Every-
one knew this was happening and
we allowed it. We shouldn't pre-
tend we didn't, then let Paul (Car-
roll) and the administration take the
heat. If there is a problem, correct
it."
There was apparently a lack of
communication with respect to the
precise function and mandate of the
foundation, as well as the board's
connection to the foundation, said
Carroll. Trustees were concerned
about activities being undertaken
which do not follow board policy.
It was agreed a clearer policy line
should be created.
Carroll is taking the brunt of the
abuse received for the upset public
sector internet providers and com-
puter retailers, saying he should
have proofread information more
thoroughly. "I cannot accept public
criticism about the HCBE, the
foundation or initiatives with
libraries or HOMEtown. We are
being scolded for having great suc-
cess," he said.
Carroll explained a steering com-
mittee has met, to put together a
proposal which would involve a
broader section of county business-
es. "I hope they decide to become
involved, because we can't resolve
a problem through innuendoes. We
need to work together, to compli-
ment each other."
With the complaints which have
been received, Carroll said the
board will look at new partnerships.
To answer the complaints of pri-
vate sector service providers, a spe-
cial public meeting has been called
by the board, for a round-table dis-
cussion of the issue. The meeting
will be held Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
at the Education and Learning
Resources Centre, Clinton.
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