The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1997-01-22, Page 2$-TM1r MINION EXPOSITOR, January U, 111017, County treasurer in the dark CONTINUED from page 1 term care whose board will be shared equally by munici- pal. pruvincial and consumer group appointees. Ecker said the ministry will continue to set standards and long-term care policy, and still aims to keep the Progressive. Cov.servative Party's election promise to spend S17.4 -billion annually on health care. BIG BUCKS Huron County Treasurer Ken Nix says he is just as unclear and in the dark as Seaforth's clerk/ administra- tor about the ramifications of last week's policy changes and the specifics if their implementation. The extent of the possible impact of long-term care changes can perhaps be gleaned from last year's fig- ures: Huronview near Clinton and Huronlea in Brussels, Huron County's largest long- term care facilities, together cost about $6,739,000. The county paid $864,000 of this and the province $3,267,000, with the balance of about $2,608,000 paid by assorted revenues, such as fees. In addition to this, home- care here in Huron, cost roughly another $6,611,000, of which the county paid $38,000 and the province about $6,573,000. Vote for two motions CONTINUED from page I RECORDED VOTES Minutes of Dec. 9 special meeting indicate recorded votes for two motions. A recorded vote, requested by Vicki Culbert, passed 7 to 5 on the resolution that "effective beginning Jan. 1, 1997 the Huron County Board of Education restore increment for non-union management level staff in a similar fashion as it has done for other employee groups as per Appendix 2 to their Human Resources Committee Report to the Special'Bo-ard Meeting (in Camera) Dec. 9." Trustees Pauline Siemon, Abby Armstrong, Roxanne Brown, Bea Dawson, Doug Garniss, Lynda Horbanuik and Joan Van den Broeck voted for. Della Baumgarten, Vicki Culbert, Bob Heywood, Norman Pickell and Rick Rompf were against. Another recorded vote, requested by Bob Heywood, passed 10 to 4 on the resolu- tion that "effective Jan. 1, 1997 the position of Human Resources Administrator be replaced with a Director of Human Resources position, to be filled by Jeanne Dionne, with the compensa- tion level equal to that of the Acting Assistant Superintendent positions, and "For the time period during which the Board is support- ing Jeanne Dionne in the pur- suit of her MBA, those costs be deducted from the new compensation level." Trustees who voted yes to this motion were Siemon, Allan Carter, Armstrong, Brown, Dawson, Garniss, Horbanuik, Pickell, Van den Broeck, Pauline Van Der Ley. Against were Baumgarten, Culbert, Heywood and Rompf. News and Views PHOTOS BY DAVID SCOTT TAKING THE PLUNGE - (Above) This group of local Tads - Kent Moffatt, Regan Price, Stephen Henderson, Kyle Devereax and Mike Delvecchio - tackled "Dead Man's Drop" on sleds and snowboards in Egmondville last Thursday when schools were closed. At left, Kyle Devereaux tries to keep his balance while snowboarding down the steep hill. Motion passed by close vote JK will continue next year BY AMY NEILANDS SSP News Staff The Junior Kindergarten (JK) program will continue for the 1997-98 school year after a motion to continue passed a close vote by the Huron County Board of Education (HCBE) on Jan. 13. It was nine votes for and seven against. After lengthy discussion the board decided to maintain the program for another year at a possible local cost of about $61,000, or $269 per student. Acting Director of Education Chuck Rowland, reported it is critical, in the review of cost- ing, to note the comparison of the local cost. for senior kindergarten and the local cost of a consolidated pro- gram. The local cost of the Senior Kindergarten (SK) program is $981 per student as compared to a local cost of $676 per stu- dent in a consolidated pro- gram of JK/SK. In their decision process, Rowland also asked trustees to consider the job security guarantee of the elementary school teachers, as well as the potential loss of students to the Huron -Perth Catholic board, which still offers the JK Program. The board could also lose $300,000 in grants if the pro- gram were discontinued. The grants were allocated for JK projects at Turnberry and Howick Central Public Schools that have not yet begun. Information provided to the board by the Human Resources Committee stated that there is educational merit to the program. They reported that studies have shown that the program reduces the amount of Special Education intervention required in later years by early identification of concerns; early entry increases the opportunity to positively affect attitudes; $1 spent on JK saves $7 to soci- ety later in life; and more than one-half million dollars will be taken out of the local econ- omy if 13 staff are taken out of the system. "The very low cost of the JK program is offset by the merits listed above and the fact that the local cost per stu- dent of the combined JK/SK program is considerably lower as a result of the con- tinuation of JK," the commit- tee reported . Rowland's reported the provincial government is reviewing programs for two to six -year-olds, and if 'JK were kept "this may also allow some time for clarifica- tion of the longer term direc- tion of Ontario government. A student trustee asked what programs are more important to spcnd money on when there is a lack of text- books in the high school§? Trustee Della Baumgarten concurred, adding the board says that JK gets children off on the right step. "But high school gets kids off to the right step in post secondary education and their future endeavors. I'd hate to see us take away from high school needs." Superintendent of Business Janet Baird -Jackson said research shows spending money at the JK level keeps costs down in later years. "...JK is good to have, but at what cost? Books at the high school level? Cuts to build- ings?," asked trustee Rick Rompf. Other trustees expressed concern over the possibility of losing programs such as music and physical education, if JK were kept. "Something has to go," stat- ed trustee Lynda Horbanuik. Rx Central Keating's Pharmacy 67 Main Street - _ Seaforth 527-1990 SureStep- Blood Glucose Meter Surestep Test Strips Diabetes Day Friday January 31st, 1997. (visit the store for diabetes information dt counseling) Reg. Price 589.95 Salt Price $49.95 Leas Trade-in Rebate $30.00 Your Price $19.95 now covered by O.D.B!! Free Diabetes book with Offer valid: January 23rd to February 6th urchasel A motion to delay decision until further information was received was defeated. "I think there is enough educational merit to warrant $269 per student," said trustee Norm Pickell: "That is money well spent." Trustee Allan Carter explained that in the schools he represents (Hensall, Huron Centennial and Vanastra), the JK Program has between 70 and 99 per cent usage. "Are we really doing what is fair for the students? $61,000 is .1 per cent of our budget," he said, adding that he supports the motion to continue the program. The question was called and a recorded vote was asked for. Those voting in favor of keeping JK were Trustees Roxanne Brown, Allan Carter, Bea Dawson, Doug Garniss, Don MacDonald, Norm Pickell, Colleen Schenk, Joan Van den Broeck and Pauline Van Der Ley. Voting against the motion were Trustees Abby Armstrong, Della Baumgarten, Vicki Culbert, Bob Heywood, Lynda Horbanuik, Rick Rompf and Pauline Siemon. Town doesn't have facilities to accommodate visitors CONTINUED from page 1 al event feature the harbour at Goderich. Reeve Bennett feels some- thing more "Seaforthy" would have been more appro- priate. Mayor Irwin Johnston updated council on the trade show's most recent prepara- tory meeting, held Jan. 13 in Seaforth. He said 120 of 247 available indoor booths -are already spoken for, and 46 of 138 outside. Last year's show was at Meaford, and the mayor noted that 260 exhibitors at that event have not as yet registered this year. The mayor added opening ceremonies will be held on a flat-bed truck, enclosed on three sides, in front of the arena. He said bussing to sur- rounding centres such as Clinton, • Bayfield and Goderich is being provided because Seaforth does not have, nearly the capacity to accommodate participants; Kelly Auto Service 26 Birch St., SEAFORTH 527-2210 CANADIAN TIRE MUFFLER WARRANTIES ACCEPTED •Complete Automotive Repair •24 Hour Towing *Full Collision and Body Shop 527-2210 After hrs. Towing 522-2122 THANK YOU The Christmas lights have been taken down, the decorations have been packed away for another year, but the memories of our wonderful Christmas celebrations linger with us still. The residents and staff of Seaforth Manor Nursing and Retirement Horne wish to thank the following community volunteers for sharing their time and talent with .us this past Christmas season. Cyril and Anne Leiper Dorothy Dillan Lioness Club Rev. Hiscox Henrietta Brown St. Thomas Anglican Church Louise Dockstader Harmony Kings Lisa Kennedy Gr. 7 Class of SPS Kelly Bosman Rev. Lucas Marcy De Groof Bethel Bible Church Tom Melody Gr. 3 Class of St. James Bill Gibson Father. Hardy Seaforth Lions Club St. James Church Northside Jr. & Sr. Choir Seaforth Nursery School Jane Kuepfer Seaforth Legion Carol Carter Marion Rose Carolyn Shephard Presbyterian Church Rev. Cheryl -Ann Rev. Vandermey Egmondville United Church Your "presence" made our poliday warm and aright! Thank - you also to our regular volunteers and entertainers who assist us throughout the year We appreciate the support and time you. give us! Residents and Staff of Seaforth Manor A