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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-27, Page 12By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Aiming to minimize the number of programming cuts, the Avon Maitland District School Board responded to ever-tightening provincial funding pursestrings by approving no pay increas- es in its 2002-03 budget. The government, mean- while, compounded the budgetary challenges for school boards by demand- ing boards sign long-term labour contracts, while continuing to provide only year-by-year funding com- mitments. It’s worth noting, there- fore, that the Avon Maitland District School Board has succeeded, under these circum- stances, in signing long- term contracts with two of its employee groups in the past couple of months, each with modest pay increases. Most recently, the board ratified an agreement Nov. 14 with the Occasional Teachers section of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO). The agreement runs through Aug. 31, 2004. According to education superintendent Geoff Williams, the contract is achievable because the amount spent by the board on occasional (sub- stitute) teachers varies depending on the how often they’re needed. He says the board hopes to minimize those necessi- ties. "We budget a certain amount for the occasional teachers for the year, and hopefully we’ll be able stay within that range," Williams explained. Earlier in the fall, the board signed a three-year contract with the Canadian Auto Workers union, representing board-employed custodi- ans and support workers. According to business superintendent Janet Baird-Jackson, a pay raise within that contract was made possible by "spread- ing people around and, at the same time, providing more equipment so they can be more efficient. "Essentially,” she said, the CAW members "paid for their own (pay) increase" by accepting the board’s plan to cut the total num- ber of custodial and sup- port staff. Staff is to be cut through attrition, Baird-Jackson explained, and by reorga- nizing such things as work schedules. She also said a private contract for custodial work at South Perth ele- mentary school at Rannoch will be eliminat- ed, with the staff reorgani- zation bringing CAW members into the site. Another formerly-active private contract, at Seaforth Public School, was eliminated by relocat- ing the CAW staff from the former Seaforth District High School. Contracts have yet to be signed, of course, with the board’s two main teach- ing unions: full-time teach- ers with the ETFO and high school teachers with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF). Both contracts expired at the end of August. Indeed, full-time mem- bers of the ETFO in the neighbouring Thames Valley District School Board (London, along with Middlesex, Oxford and Elgin Counties), as well as in other public and Catholic boards across the province, are staging work-to-rule campaigns. Williams said there appears to be little threat of similar protests in Huron and Perth Counties, but he admitted the full- time contracts represent "a big challenge." Baird-Jackson agreed, saying the board’s best hope is for changes to the provincial government’s funding formula. While the Occasional Teachers and CAW con- tracts could be described as "creative solutions," she noted, there’s much less flexibility when it comes to full-time teaching con- tracts, and such solutions are unlikely. "In terms of teaching staff, we’re right at the aggregate class size now, so we can’t cut more with- out contravening the legis- lation," the business superintendent explained. Baird-Jackson also admitted that for years two and three of the CAW contract, staff reorganiza- tion and the elimination of private contracts won’t be enough for the projected pay raises. With the Occasional Teachers, added Williams, pay raises are tied to the raises earned by full-time teach- ers, and these may also pose additional challenges in the new contract’s final two years. "Basically . . . we’re hop- ing there’s something in the recommendations of the Rozanski Commission (struck by the provincial government to examine the funding formula), and we’re hoping that the gov- ernment follows through on some of the Commissions recommen- dations," Baird-Jackson said. The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, meanwhile, faces no labour negotiations this year. As a result of long-term agreements signed last year, full-time elementary and secondary teachers are under contract until Aug. 31, 2004, while every other unionized and non-unionized labour group is under contract until Aug. 31, 2003. 14 Wednesday, November 27, 2002Exeter Times–Advocate “A Gift that Lasts All Year” TIMES ADVOCATE GIFT SUBSCRIPTION CANADIAN SUBSCRIPTION RATES One Year - $36.00 + $2.52 GST = $38.52 Two Year - $65.00 + $4.55 GST = $69.55 CAN ORDER BY PHONE, FAX OR EMAIL WITH VISA OR MASTERCARD NOW ONLY (GIFT CARD INCLUDED) 424 Main St. Exeter, Ont. N0M 1S6 (519) 235-1331 • Fax (519) 235-0766 email: ads@southhuron.com Beat the 2003 Price Increase Gaiser Kneale Ins. Broker Inc. EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 G.I.C.’s 4.41% TOWNSHIP OF LUCAN-BIDDULPH AREA -RATED DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BYLAW FOR GRANTON URBAN AREA PUBLIC MEETING The Township of Lucan-Biddulph is holding a Public Meeting to discuss a proposed Development Charges By-Law. This By-law is in addition to the existing Bylaw 34-99 and is specific to the Granton urban area. It will provide for Development charges for sanitary sewage and water services for new development and will set out the charge rates and the manner in which they will be collected. The meeting will be held on: Tuesday, December 3, 2002 7:30 p.m. Lucan - Biddulph Municipal Office 33351 Richmond Street Lucan, Ontario Copies of the proposed By-Law and the supporting Background Study will be available for review at the Township Offices beginning on November 19, 2002. Representatives of Council and B.M. Ross and Associates Consulting Engineers will be present at the meeting to present details of the Background Study and answer questions. Any person who attends the meeting may make representations relating to the By-Law. This Notice issued November 13, 2002 Ronald Reymer Clerk-Administrator Township of Lucan-Biddulph The Ministry of Public Safety and Security seeks applicants to fill a vacancy on the South Huron Police Services Board Selection Systems and Appointments Unit Ministry of Public Safety and Security 12th Floor, 25 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A 2H3 Fax: (416) 314-3536 Tel: (416) 314-9335 The three-member South Huron Police Services Board will meet as required with the Ontario Provincial Police to discuss policing priorities for the community. Applicants should have good written and verbal communications skills, previous experience on boards or committees, experience as a community volunteer and an awareness of local policing issues. Any resident of South Huron interested in serving as a provincially-appointed member of the Police Services Board may apply by forwarding a detailed resume by December 11, 2002, to the: The Ministry of Public Safety and Security seeks applicants to fill a vacancy on the South Huron Police Services Board Tough contract negotiations still ahead for school board Exeter’s Ontario Early Years Centre held its grand opening Nov.16 at its location at 379 Main St.S.,the former Exeter P.U.C.building.The goal of the Early Years Centre is to serve as a gateway for parents and caregivers to get answers to ques- tions they may have as well as referrals to other programs and services for chil- dren up to six years old.The Exeter Centre is managed through the County of Huron.From left at the grand opening are South Huron and Huron County Coun. Joe Hogan,Holly Clausius,Amber Taylor,Grace Winbow,Evan Winbow and Huron County Early Years co-ordinator Eveleen McDonagh.The Early Years centre offers a variety of parent and children programs.(photo/submitted) HENSALL – The Hensall Christmas at our House Tour will be taking place Nov. 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public is invited to tour decorated homes, the Presbyterian church, the renovated library and the Tinker Tots nursery school. As part of the tour, refreshments will be served at the nursery school, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. For tickets or information, call Jen McClinchey, house tour co-ordinator, at 263-2533. Tour features decorated homes GGrraanndd ooppeenniinngg