The Citizen, 1997-01-15, Page 19THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15,1997 PAGE 19.
JK program off, now on again in Huron
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
Off again. On again.
The Huron County Board of Edu
cation continued the struggle over
providing junior kindergarten (JK)
for the children of the county at the
Jan. 13 meeting and after more than
an hour of discussion, input from
each trustee, some student trustees
and a federation representative, the
decision was made.
By a 9-7 recorded vote, the board
decided Huron County parents will
have the option of sending their
youngsters to junior kindergarten
for the 1997/98 school year.
With indications from the provin
cial government that funding would
not be cut for the coming year,
Superintendent of Business Janet
Baird-Jackson informed trustees
that to continue the JK program
would result in a local cost of
approximately $61,000 for 1997, or
$267 per pupil.
Further numbers showed a cost
of $981 per pupil ($289,366 total)
to run just the senior kindergarten
program. The consolidated JK/SK
program now offered, adds just the
$61,000.
Baird-Jackson also pointed out
that the interest in JK has increased
by 23 per cent over last year, even
though some parents continue to
oppose the program.
In offering background informa
tion, Baird-Jackson said, by elimi
nating JK, trustees should consider
the possibility of losing students to
the separate school system, which
offers the early education, for their
entire education.
Capital grants worth $300,000,
allocated by the government for
renovations to Tumberry and How
ick Central Public Schools, have
not yet been used. Two-thirds of
the money has been received and
would have to be returned.
Vice-chair of the board, Doug
Garniss, trustee for Morris and
Tumberry Twp., began the discus
sion with hands full of letters sup
porting JK, while other trustees
handed in petitions and spoke of
numerous phone calls. Many
reported strongly positive reports
while others, such as Abby Arm
strong, trustee for Bayfield and
Stanley Twp., reported 38 calls, 36
being negative.
"Unfortunately, I am more con
cerned about the children whose
parents we do not hear from," said
Bea Dawson, trustee for Zurich,
Hay and Usbome Twps. "If parents
are not active and interested in the
children, those are the children who
will be hurt again by the cutting of
Hullett rescinds motion
for fire truck purchase
Continued from page 18
rails repaired.
In rescinding a motion from Nov.
19 which gave approval for the pur
chase of a $237,598.63 vehicle for
the Clinton Fire Area Board, Hul
lett council approved another rec
ommendation. In concurrence with
Tuckersmith Twp., council agreed
that the fire area board should pro
ceed with the purchase of a fire
truck from Hub Freightliner, at a
cost of $194,843.42, plus tax.
A bylaw was passed to establish
joint representation for the Mait
land Valley Conservation Authori
ty. Carol Mitchell, reeve of Clinton
was appointed to represent Clinton,
Hullett and Goderich Twp. until the
JK."
With the influx of both positive
and negative opinions from parents
and taxpayers, several trustees felt
they were ill-prepared to make the
decision regarding the continuation
of JK until reports detailing the
benefits could be studied.
A motion to defer the decision
was defeated and discussion contin
ued about the virtues of the pro
gram and the rationale of spending
the $61,000.
Several trustees had heard con
cerns from ratepayers about the
effect the continuation of JK would
have on other programs such as
music, art, physical education,
Tech 21, and continuing education.
While studies indicate the lack of
JK effects the futures of the next
generation, student trustees
expressed concern about what
effect the lack of textbooks in sec
ondary schools have on their suc
cess in the future.
Baird-Jackson assured trustees
there had been no discussion of
eliminating any programs and the
board had every intention of main
taining those currently offered.
However, new ways of delivering
them will be considered.
Quoting studies, she said it is
believed spending a small amount
early saves funds otherwise needed
Brussels PS news
Lice losing battle at BPS
WINNING THE BATTLE
By Jared Cardiff
and Kate Kuepfer
A new year has begun here at
BPS. The cases of head lice have
decreased dramatically. We would
like to thank the head checkers and
the families for helping to clean us
up and freeze the beasties out.
On Jan. 14, 21 and 28 the Grades
7 and 8 students will be attending
curling in the morning at the BMG
Community Centre. We inter
viewed students to see how they
felt about going.
"I like curling and I find it very
challenging. I've gone before and I
played the skip. The skip is the
person who tells the teammates
what to do and I have to make
tough decisions for the team,"
Andrew Garland of Grade 8 says.
"I like curling. I've played it
before and I find it very
challenging and competitive," says
end of present term.
A drainage works application for
Lot 24 and 25, Cone. 6, will be
dealt with by R.J. Burnside and
Associates, in conjunction with a
report for Part Lot 26, Cone. 6. The
two areas requiring drainage are
adjacent.
Council had no objection to Mills
Drain repair in Morris Twp, for a
cost of $166.51 to Hullett Twp.
Larry Mayberry was hired to
blow snow at the municipal office
at a cost of $20 per cleanout plus
GST.
Approval was given for the pay
ment of accounts payable in the
amount of $393,447.83.
in the future for special secondary
programs and facilities such as
Bluewater.
Rick Rompf, trustee for
Goderich, agreed that JK was a
good program, "But at what cost,
such as the lack of textbooks. I
believe the private sector can do
better in providing early childhood
education."
Stating the pragmatic view, Joan
Van den Broeck, trustee for
Goderich and Colborne Twp., a
past opponent to JK, said the board
should continue funding for two
reasons.
"The board should secure the
grant and get the renovations com
pleted at Tumberry and Howick
and with the government consider
ing other options for early child
hood education, (HCBE) will be in
a good position to provide that ser
vice with space and trained teach
ers," she said.
Concern was also expressed
about the recently announced amal
gamation of the Huron and Perth
school boards. The Perth public
system does not have JK and
trustees worried that Huron
ratepayers would help fund the
expanded program.
"However, our tax dollars are
already going to support the pro
gram in other counties, even if we
Grade 7 student Brand Dixon.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7 free throw
started in the gym. The 10 and 11-
year-olds practice at first recess and
the 12, 13 and 14-year-olds practice
at last recess. Winners from our
school will go to East Wawanosh
where they will compete in the
North Huron tournament.
Volleyball started in December.
We are all now trying out for the
team which is soon going to be
selected. Thirteen girls and 13 guys
will travel on to F.E. Madill on
Friday, Jan. 24 to compete in the
tournament.
In 1997 we had two new staff
members added to our school. Mrs.
Johnston has taken Mrs. Prior's
secretarial role and Mrs.
MacDonald has replaced Mrs.
Uhler at the Grade 3/4 room. We
have asked the new teachers how
they are enjoying their new jobs. "I
really enjoy it. I've had previous
experience in the school atmo
sphere and I really enjoyed it," said
Miss Johnston. Mrs. MacDonald
said, "It's great! The kids have
adjusted well to a new teacher
being around."
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don't have it," said Dawson.
A consideration raised by Norm
Pickell, trustee for Goderich, was
the payroll dollars which would be
removed from the Huron County
economy with the elimination of up
to 13 positions."A half a million
could be lost," he said. "I think
$269 per student is money well
spent. We can warrant the cost."
John Clarke of Ontario Sec
ondary School Teachers' Federa
tion, said, "Members have made
sacrifices to save programs through
wage cuts, staff cuts and changes to
middle management. We bought
into it because it was a local board
working for local schools. If the
board is saying saving JK is not
worth $61,000, I will take the mes
sage back to the membership."
"The golden handshake given to
a recently-departed board staff
member would have almost paid
for the program for a year," added
Clarke.
"I was concerned (JK) wasn't
going to go," said Paul Dyck, rep
resentative for the Ontario Public
School Teachers' Federation. "It
has taken years to establish a rap
port with the board, in the sense of
saving programs. (A no vote)
would have had a negative impact
on federation members."
"Teachers were concerned about
equity of programs, not their jobs,"
The kindergarten class has been
divided into two groups. Mrs. Hall
is now coming daily instead of
every other day.
Also Mrs. Dolmage works at
Brussels in the morning, then
travels to Walton to teach there in
the afternoon.
On Friday, Jan. 17 a high school
student from F.E. Madill is coming
to speak to the Grade 8 students
about classes/courses that we can
enroll into next year.
January is a time to stay in and
get caught up with your studies, so
make the best of it.
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added Willie Laurie, from the
Huron Women Teachers' Federa
tion.
The vote was held. Voting to
keep JK were: Roxanne Brown,
Clinton; Allan Carter, Hensail and
Tuckersmith Twp.; Bea Dawson,
Zurich, Hay and Usborne Twps.;
Doug Gamiss, Morris and Tumber
ry Twp.; Don McDonald, Brussels
and Grey Twp.; Norm Pickell,
Goderich; Colleen Schenk, Wing
ham, Joan Van den Broeck,
Goderich and Colborne Twps. and
Pauline Van der Ley, Exeter.
Against retaining JK were: Abby
Armstrong, Bayfield and Stanley
Twp.; Della Baumgarten, Howick
Twp.; Vicki Culbert, Ashfield, East
and West Wawanosh; Bob Hey
wood, Stephen Twp.; Lynda Hor-
baniuk, Blyth and Hullett Twp.;
Rick Rompf, Goderich and Pauline
Siemon, Seaforth and McKillop
Twp.
HAPPY 54TH
BIRTHDAY
GERRIT
LOVE MOM
The family of
John & Ann Nesbit
wishes your presence to
help celebrate
their parents'
25th Wedding
Anniversary
on January 25/97
at 8:30 p.m.
at Blyth Memorial Hall
Best Wishes Only