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The Citizen, 2000-07-05, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2000. School board news Trustrees angry that delegates didn’t hear more By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen Four delegations of Stratford par­ ents whose children attend the clos­ ing Falstaff Public School asked the Avon Maitland District School Board at last week’s meeting to con­ sider retaining ownership of the school for a year in case increasing enrolment overcrowds the remaining city schools. But. trustees involved in budget discussions later in the evening were angry that none of the delegates had remained to learn about the financial limitations created by the provincial funding formula. “It frustrates me personally about the lamenting of other decisions we have made that the people singing that song have left,” said trustee Maggie Laprade. Citing last year’s Education Improvement Commission’s recom­ mendation to the Avon Maitland board to improve communication with the public and the “rampant misunderstanding” of the board’s budget, Laprade asked what the board can do “short of putting ads in all the local papers.” “It’s vitally important the people understand that enveloping (provin­ cial rules that tie certain amounts of funding to certain areas of educa­ tion) ties our hands. And, we’re still overspending on special education because those kids really need it,” said Laprade. Trustee Atje Tuyten agreed, say­ ing, “Quite frankly I’m mad as hell and I don't know how much more I can take. People get up on their soapboxes but won’t even stay and listen or they talk rudely during our presentations.” “The situation is don't bother me with the facts. I’d rather keep my perception that the board is mean. I don’t know why anyone runs for trustee anymore except that they care about kids,” she added. Trustee Abby Armstrong suggest­ ed sending one page of financial information out to school councils to increase their understanding of the financial challenges the board faces. “I feel frustrated myself and it’s a very complicated thing. People just don’t understand,” she said, adding that she must ask a “kajillion ques­ tions” when going over the financial binders with administrative staff. Board Chair Wendy Anderson, in an end-of-school-year speech she presented earlier in the meeting, also lamented the negative attention the board has received during the past year over the school closure issue. “We have been called a variety of names by diverse groups of people who say we don’t listen because they haven’t gotten the answers they wanted,” she said. She responded to members of the public who urged the board to say no to the province over school closures with Bill 74, recent legislation which disciplines board staff and fines trustees for acting against provincial rules. “Clearly the government has heard you because now there’s Bill 74 and many trustees are wondering who they are supposed to be representing - the government or their con­ stituents. What is the point of contin­ uing?” Anderson also said she hoped that those running for trustee in the upcoming fall election will “be inter­ ested in schools as places of learn­ ing, not just as buildings,” Board expands alternative education program By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen An alternative education program for students over 16 at risk of drop­ ping out of school that began in Clinton’s Central Huron Secondary School, had a successful year in Listowel, Stratford and Goderich and will now be expanded to Wingham. Trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board heard at last week’s meeting from superintendent Bill Gerth that the program enrolled 130 students who achieved 222 cred­ its, with 16 students completing their secondary school diploma. “The program was a wonderful success which made a very real difference in the lives of stu­ dents who would not have been in our secondary schools otherwise,” he said. The alternative education program provides an individualized program with an emphasis on English and math and focus on student goal-set­ ting and personal life management skills. Students also spend two to three days a week in a co-operative educa­ tion work placement, gaining further credits. The program was offered last year at Central Huron, Listowel District High School, Northwestern Secondary School and Goderich District Collegiate. With sufficient enrolment, it will begin in September at F.E. Madill Secondary School. Get Your Message AROUND THE WORLD IMMEDIATELY If you have important papers that need to go somewhere FAST ... use the CITIZEN’S FAX MACHINE! Our Fax machine can contact any other Fax machine, In the world, instantly. We offer this service for a cost of $4.00 per printed sheet for the first one and $1.00 per additional sheet. (And the long distance charges are free In North America) Our Fax Number, is also your number, so use it to receive your messages at $1.00 per sheet. HERE ARE OUR FAX NUMBERS . . . BLYTH 523-9140 BRUSSELS 887-9021 WE CAN RECEIVE 24 HRS. PER DAY! NOTICE is hereby given that the following Councils intend to pass a by-law to name public roads which may not have been previously named, and to change the name of public roads which may have been previously named. The public road naming, or change of name is intended to facilitate the County-wide municipal addressing system which is required to be in place prior to the implementation of the 9-1-1 Emergency Response System for ambulance, fire and police services throughout the County of Huron. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed naming/ renaming of public roads is available for inspection at the respective Municipal Offices or the Huron County Planning and Development Department at 524-2188. DATED THIS 27th DAY OF JUNE, 2000 J.A. Murray, Clerk-Administrator County of Huron PUBLIC ROAD NAME CHANGES SECTION 210 (111) of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990 c c EQHQQQQQQHQQQQQQQQQQHQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQa Municioalitv Clerk Public Meetina Date Ashfield Twp. (519) 529-7383 Linda Andrew Aug. 09., 2000 7:30 p.m. Colborne Twp. (519) 524-4669 Judy Kay Aug. 01, 2000 7:30 p.m. Goderich Twp. (519) 482-9804 Linda Cranston Aug. 21, 2000 8:00 p.m. Grey Twp. (519) 887-6268 Brad Knight Aug. 21, 2000 8:00 p.m. HowickTwp. (519) 335-3208 Valerie Przybilla Aug. 08, 2000 7:00 p.m. Hullett Twp. (519) 523-4340 Rhonda Fischer Aug. 22, 2000 7:30 p.m. McKillop Twp. (519) 527-0160 J.R. McLachlan Aug. 02, 2000 7:30 p.m. Morris Twp. (519) 887-6137 Nancy Michie Aug. 15, 2000 7:30 p.m. Stanley Twp. (519) 233-7907 Ansberth Willed Aug. 08, 2000 7:30 p.m. Stephen Twp. (519) 234-6331 Larry Brown Aug. 01,2000 5:00 p.m. Tuckersmith Twp. (519) 527-1997 J.R. McLachlan Aug. 01, 2000 7:30 p.m. Turnberry Twp. (519) 357-2991 Dorothy Kelly Aug. 15, 2000 9:00 p.m. East Wawanosh Twp. (519) 357-2880 Winona Thompson Aug. 01, 2000 8:00 p.m. West Wawanosh Twp. (519) 528-2903 Liliane Nolan Aug. 01, 2000 7:30 p.m.