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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-04-07, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1999. AMDSB recommends Stratford CSS for Tech 21 By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen After taking a second look at possible locations for Tech 21 in Stratford, administration recom­ mended Stratford Central Secondary School to the board once again March 23. Arguments for locating Tech 21 at Central included the fact that only one teaching area, opposed to one shop or three classrooms at Northwestern Secondary School, will be lost, the "relative isolation" of Central's entrance from class­ rooms offering better supervision and control of students coming into the school and the greater need at Central for improved occupancy statistics that Tech 21 will bring. Business superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson told the board that Tech 21 would move Central's occupancy percentage from its current 75 per cent closer to 80 per cent but that Northwestern, which is currently at 80 per cent, doesn't need a higher level to meet provincial standards. Alley cropping has benefits Continued from page 12 contribute to rapid tree growth. The researchers have shown the cycling of nutrients continues with the breakdown of leaves that fall from the trees onto the cropped field. The ability of the system to efficiently cycle nutrients suggests to some that alley cropping may fit well into nutrient management plans coping with livestock manure. Studies in the U.S. and U.K. applying liquid sludge at recommended rates, suggests there is little risk of pollution or toxicity to the alley cropped fields. Economic models applied by the researchers can provide landowners with some means of comparing various alley cropping options. Thevathasan is quick to point out that, "for some systems, there appears to be financial benefits over pure agriculture or pure forestry options". Tree selection options are endless, depending on the values and desires of the landowner. Sights could be set on high grade timber, construction lumber, nuts, Christmas trees, maple syrup, etc. Until the trees are marketed they will provide cover, food and nesting sites for wildlife, and provide added diversity to the farm. A tree's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and through photosynthesis, use it to produce leaves and woody material, is another reason Gordon predicts new enthusiasm in alley cropping. 'By accumulating carbon from the atmosphere and locking it up for long periods of time, trees can help us keep our promise to the Kyoto protocol on climate change. As long as the wood products are not burned or allowed to decay, the positive effects are offered indefinitely." Researchers estimate that agriculture is responsible for about 10 per cent of Canada's annual total of greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon dioxide is one of several gases being targeted for significant reduction. In addition to reducing our reliance on the burning of fossil fuels, recognizing and expanding carbon 'sinks’, such as the planting of trees, are seen as viable solutions to protecting our air quality. Todd Leuty, agroforestry specialist with OMAFRA, cautions those that may be intrigued by alley cropping that establishment costs may be high and the system "I think the ministry will be looking at the combination of elementary and secondary students within that space and the reduction of excess space at Central." she said. Tech 21 will be located on the lower level of the 1952 wing of Central in the current main floor art room, which would be moved upstairs and in a renovated space which used to hold the 1952 woodworking shops, at a cost of $400,000. Baird-Jackson said Central's two art rooms would then be consolidated on the second floor to create an improved art department. The report to the board also said that Tech 21 would limit North­ western's ability to upgrade its tech facilities, which need to be redeveloped regardless of where Tech 21 goes, and recommended slating $250,000 towards a first phase of tech renovations in 1999/2000. "Discussions with the school as well as the coterminous board (the Huron-Perth Catholic District requires rather complex management to be successful. "The trees require regular maintenance and pruning to contain the width and encourage favourable growth," said Leuty. "Planning for tree density, row spacing and tree species should account for the size of the mature trees and possible effects to tile drainage systems." Those that manage the few sites that exist in Ontario are reportedly satisfied that weed management within the tree rows can be achieved with available herbicides. Thank You Grace and Deborah Campbell, owners of Grace Campbell Catering and operators of the Walton Inn Restaurant, will be ceasing its operations from the Walton Inn. Friday, April 23, 1999 will be the last day for the restaurant service. This is by mutual agreement between Graeme and Helen Craig, owners of the Walton Inn and Grace Campbell Catering. We would like to thank everyone for their patronage over the past year and a half. Your friendliness will never be forgotten. Please feel free to call us for all of your catering needs at 527-1775. Thank you again, Grace Campbell Catering Grace and Deborah Campbell ESCORTED EUROPEAN TOURS Kristyn Darling Book any Contiki or Trafalgar land and air package MOO*and save I Wr W per personand save Depart on Canadian Airlines between April 1st & June 14th ’certain restrictions apply. The Ultimate Graduation U I TRAFALGAR .|J TOURS For that Special Anniversary CARLSON WAGONLIT ELLISON TRAVEL EXETER (519) 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 www.ettravel.com School Board) have reinforced staff's opinion that the Avon Maitland board has a unique opportunity at this site to either work with the Catholic board to form a new SERC TECH' project or work independently to bring tech at Northwestern into the next millennium," said the report. Baird-Jackson said both boards will continue to meet to "pursue Bd. sees transport fund shortfall By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen The Avon Maitland District School Board is already receiving $100,000 less than it needs from the province for transportation and has achieved all the cost efficiencies it can through the shared busing the province's new transportation funding review committee is recommending. Business Superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson told the board at the No specialized spray equipment is necessary. Nuisance wildlife may be attracted to these systems. Leuty suggests that farmers adopting alley cropping will have to develop a wildlife management strategy similar to fruit orchards. There is much potential for alley cropping to expand in Ontario; particularly on some of the lower classed, rolling farmland. Perhaps what the system needs is farmer innovation and imagination to push the potential'while keeping the system practical and profitable 4 J " Ask about Kk FREE London Theatre ■ _ Tickets opportunities of mutual benefit." Other renovations the report said are necessary regardless of the location of Tech 24, include relocated science labs at North­ western by September, 1999 and upgraded tech facilities at Central. "While Central's tech will never rival that of Northwestern, upgrading of tech facilities at Central is desirable, conditional on budget allocation." said the report. recent meeting. She told the board that recommendations that school boards be required to set up consortia by January, 2000 with offices outside of participating boards will actually cost the Avon Maitland board money that it cannot recover from savings from shared busing since there are no more savings to be made. "We've got elementary, About your Hospital CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL FOUNDATION AN EVENING OF MUSIC FRIDAY APRIL 16 at 7:30 p.m. Zh Z>& ZvZ<Zvz ZZ/ Z/mZmm tyC ONTARIO STREET UNITED CHURCH 105 Ontario Street, Clinton Featuring Music by - Goderich Harbouraires QZ/wZo/' Stratford Male Chorus L//ZerZev’ Doug Squire v/ Zzfe wya/i Heather Jewson . . SzZoZlZ Susan Hay and Anne Leeper Social Time to Follow Advance Tickets available from Clinton Public Hospital Admitting Dept. Don Symons 482-3042 or 482-3440 Ext. 248 Tickets also available at the door on the evening of the performance All Tickets $5.00 Moving Tech 21 to Central would provide the school with a new technology facility for advanced level students, who attend Central for the academic program but need tech for post secondary programs such as engineering and architecture, focussing on comput­ erized 3D design, graphics and the manipulation of electronic technical data. secondary, public, Catholic and Christian students all on the same bus. Setting up a consortia could be a pretty futile exercise for us. The irony is we've been doing it all along because we've had to," she said. Board Vice-Chair Bob Allan said he is troubled by the province's inability to recognize the savings rural boards have already made in Continued on page 19 i'-ji