Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-12-11, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, December 11, 1111111 News and Views St. Anne's to pour foundation for addition BY MICHELE GREENE SSP News Staff Despite the objection of two trustees, the Huron -Perth Roman Catholic School Board decided to proceed with the pouring of a founda- tion for a 12 -classroom addi- tion to St. Anne's Catholic Secondary School in Clinton. At its Dec. 2 meeting, trustees agreed to authorize the administration to award the foundation tender and begin work, which expected to cost about $75,000. The overall addition is estimated to cost approximately $1.4 million and be completed by September 1997 to accom- modate a projected large increase in enrolment. The school's current enrolment is 300 students and the board expects it to increase to 450 next year. By September 1998, the projected enrol- ment is 6(X). Only commit to foundation Director of Education Dr. James Brown told trustees the motion would commit them to only a foundation. If they chose not to continue with the addition, as a result of lack of funding or other reasons, they would not be obligated by a motion of the hoard. "Something has to be done. We have to provide accom- modation for the students," he said. However, some trustees were concerned about costs and how government changes could affect the board if it takes on the project. "There are no costs here. We're obviously going to build the addition if we have the foundation. This is run- ning fast. We don't even have the money secured for this," said Seaforth Trustee Gerry Ryan. Stratford Trustce Ron Marcy pointed out that the board has $390,000 from the recent sale of eight school buses which would cover the foundation and contribute to the rest of the project. Dr. Brown said the founda- tion is like "money buried in the ground." "If you don't get the foun- dation in, you'll have to go to portables. Once you spend money on portables, you don't have money for con- struction," he said. Before Ground Freezes Superintendent of Business and Finance Gerry Thuss said the timing is crucial. The foundation has to he poured before the ground is frozen so work can begin in March or April. "Once we get freeze up, we can't put this in until the frost is out of the ground. The addition is bigger than most of our schools. We can't build it over the summer," said Dr. Brown. Although he agreed the board has to do something to accommodate the incoming students, Trustee Ryan still had many concerns related to the uncertainty of education in Ontario. If the board bor- rows money for the project and it ceases to exist under amalgamation, he wondered who would take over the loan. If the hoard proceeds without Ministry of Education and Training approval, will it ever he eligi- ble for government grants, he went on to ask. "They may feel, if we pro- ceed, that we have the money," he said. Building at its own costs? Dr. Brown said there is $ I billion of building in line ahead of this, and it may be a long wait for an allocation. The hoard may he building at its own cost, he said. "I think the supervisory staff has given you good advice on building. I would not recommend anything that would put you in trouble financially," said Dr. Brown. Since 1990, the hoard has increased its capital assets by $25 million. The board's debt has increased from $385,000 in 1990 to $1.8 million cur- rently. "It is realistic to expect that could be paid off in three or four years," said Dr. Brown, adding that it is a manageable debt load. Exeter Trustee Michael Ryan wondered if the board would continually increase taxes to pay for the addition. Dr. Brown said the separate board is the lowest -spending school board in Ontario, and last year's 6.59 per cent bud- get increase was the first in recent years. He blamed cuts in funding from the province for the increase, not poorly management on the part of the board. "I want to know more information so 1 can tell the taxpayers it won't cost 10 per cent in taxes based on some- one's whim," said Trustce Ryan. Trustees voted to proceed with the foundation with Trustees Gerry Ryan and Michael Ryan opposing. The 12 -classroom addition will include one science lab and one computer lab. Corridors, washrooms, storage arca, staff room and a student council arca are also a part of the addition. Concerns HOMEtown subsidized by tax dollars `simply not true' says Meerveld CONTINUED from page 1 • dated the same Dec. 2 states. "Attempts are being made to have HOMEtown member- ships honoured and you will he advised of the results of these efforts. Arrangements have also been made to save the community information already created for future qsc." "IN SOME FORM" "Thank you for your partic- ipation in this wonderful ven- ture. Wc all hope it can be continued in some form or another." HOMEtown's arrangement with Huron's public board of education was vigorously questioned by some business- es and private providers last month, who felt it unfair competition subsidized by tax dollars. "This is simply not true," HOMEtown's executive director Bert Mecrveld states on one of the Dec. 2 commu- nications to members on the Internet. "Any funding that we have received was desig- nated for very specific pro- jects and had no administra- tive overhead built into them." "Their presentation showed that there is distorted infor- mation about HOMEtown; competitors are generally misinformed," Meerveld comments. "Our partnership with thc Huron hoard is a model for the future" "The Huron County Board of Education is under attack from business for its partner- ship with an Internet provider - HOMEtown - and for mak- ing computers available at reasonable costs to students." VARIOUS GRANTS The report of the treasurer to HOMEtown Community Network last April 11 states the organization "in late 1994 and early 1995...applied for, and ultimately received a number of significant grants." Two mentioned arc a Jobs Ontario Community Action (JOCA) award of $47,000 and a special project grant of $10,000 awarded by thc Ontario Federation of Agriculture. That treasurer's report from the community network's last annual meeting further states: "Other sources of funding in 1995 include but are not limited to: Elgin Information Network; Human Resources Development Canada; Huron County Board of Education; Huron, Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin and Perth Federations of Agriculture; Huron, Oxford, Middlesex, Elgin County Libraries; Inter*Com Information Services, Perth County Information Network; Stratford Public Library and St. Thomas Public Libraries, University of Western Ontario Information Technology Services." "We decided to use the JOCA grant to purchase two additional computers and to hire a staff member to co- ordinate the implementation of the network," the treasur- er's report continues. . Another earlier report, the president's report for the same April annual meeting notes: "Through George Markus and Doug Perkins of Human Resources Canada in Elgin County, we received a grant of $2(1,000 to further the development of HOMEtown." PAST PRESIDENT The executive director of thc HOMEtown last April was Larry Dillon of Harpuncey. He said in an interview last Friday his sub- sequent replacement, Meerveld, resigned last week and a new private company called Ehhriet has emerged, and assumed some former functions of HOMEtown. Dillon, who is a lawyer, says he has hired a lawyer and also took possession of a "router" last week under a "security agreement" he had with HOMEtown covering equipment he personally financed during his tenure. He estimates his loss will he in five figures, regardless. He said the money is of Icss consequence to him personal- ly than the damage caused to the system he helped create and those that stand to bene- fit from it. He estimates HOMEtown's current membership is about 2,000. A response to "anonymous e-mail that was sent to all of our HOMEtown members, or "response to Broke Taxpayer 1111 We can make it easier to help you 1131 get through the holiday season! Stay with us for as long as you need... 4 Days, 2 Weeks, 2 Months Whatever you require. For As Low As $qAcio per day / , . ' - — . r- _r C. ('j. ; Call Cindy DeGroof at SEAFORTH MANOR RETIREMENT HOME 527-0030 100 James Street, Seaforth ME teid letter" as, Meerveld terms it, was posted on the Internet by thc community rictwork Nov. 2. "BUMBLING" It states: "We have certainly not ben- efitted from tax dollars. Quite the contrary. A substantial grant ($492,(k)0) which had been approved by the NDP government was withheld when the Conservative gov- ernment took office... "It is still a minor miracle that we exist. "We are still a low cost community network. Where else can you get text -based Internet access for $60 per year. That's $5 per month for $45 hours! We are firmly committed to our vision and are concerned that the com- munity has access to the tech- nology. Earnings from our graphic -based service go directly back into the com- munity to support the build- ing of an accessible techno- logical infrastructure. "Sometimes we do have technological problems. Wc simply do not have the resources to pay a full-time technician. But HOMEtown was never designed to he the slick, polished product of professional ISPs. It still has an clement of 'do it yourself,' last month's Internet response from executive director Meerveld continues: "Unfortunately, this is largely misinterpreted as 'humbling'." Carter chosen chair BY AMY NEILANDS SSP News Staff Allan Carter was the Huron County Board of Education's unanimous choice for the position of chair of the board for 1997. He was acclaimed for the position at the board's inaugural meeting held on Dec. 2. Carter, trustee for Tuckersmith Township and the Village of Hensall, has served on the board since 1989 and for the past year was the board's vice -chair. He replaces former chair Roxanne Brown, who held the position for the past two years. "We are moving into a time of great change," said Carter, adding that the board must become "pro -active" in devel- oping change. "We will be more happy with what comes." He acknowled • ' the commitment both " and the other board t, have made to educate, "Everyone has done an admirable job," he said, adding that this has put the board in an "envious position of other boards." "I look forward to the chal- lenges ahead," said Carter in closing. His term as chair runs from Dec. 1, 1996 to Nov. 30, 1997. The majority of other seats were also filled by acclama- tion. PIA\O TC\I\C f • REPAIRS • REBUILDING • KEYS RECOVERED s>!• • DAMPP CHASERS • R GULATING 1- 1f>r? BRUCE i'ULSIFER 348-9223 MITCHELL Having trouble finding that "perfect gift" for that x' "special someone" or need a break from all the Christmas "hustle and bustle" THEN GIVE US A CALL!! KIM'S KLEANING (519) 233-7208 "WE MAKE IT SPARKLE" TOWN OF SEAFORTH NOTICE DOG TAGS/RABIES, VACCINATIONS 1997 Dog Tags are now on sale. Dog owners have until March 18th, 1997 to renew their dog's registration. After March 18th, 1997 a. late registration fee of 515.00 will be charged in addition to the regular registration fee. You may register your dog at the Seaforth Municipal Office, 72 Main Street South, Seaforth, during normal office hours. Owners of dogs shall pay the following registration fees: •For one neutered male or spayed female dog: $20.00 ' •For the second neutered male or spayed female dog: $25.00 •For one male dog or female dog: $30.00 •For the second male dog or female dog: ' $40.00 •For the third male dog, female dog, neutered male dog, or payed female dog: 575.00 •For the fourth male dog, female dog, neutered male dog, or spayed female dog: $100.00 Please note that we require proof of rabies vaccination in the past 12 months prior to a dog tag being issued. Also, if you have a new dog, a veterinarian's certificate must be provided as proof of the dog being spayed or neutered before a dog can be registered. Seaforth and area has had a number of positive rabies incidents over.the past year, so to ensure the safety of your animal, other animals, and children, please have your dog or cat vaccinated each year. Your Vincent's Toyland is now OPEN Selection of Farm Toys from $3 95 Plus,* Selected Snowmobile Clothing Snowmobile Ski Skins Lots of Colour and so many more Christmas Gift Ideas at triELeffLif ARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED 13 Mlles North of SEAFORTH 527-0120