HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-11-25, Page 8S -TNR HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER SS, 1555
Credibility
of school
board
is being
questioned
BY VICTORIA JACKSON
Clinton News -Record Staff
Parents questioned the
credibility of the Avon
Maitland District School
Board (AMDSB) at its Nov.
10 meeting.
lane Finan, chairperson
of the South Perth
Centennial School Council
told the board that when
parents left an Oct. 27
meeting they thought
everyone was on the same
track.
"What is painfully
obvious is that you have an
agenda," Finan said. "You
want to close schools. Not
all schools, but some."
She added that the board
has created a "huge
credibility problem" for
themselves.
"There are a lot of
parents who think that on
Dec. 8, they are going to see
option C," Finan said. "I
can't defend you anymore."
But Lorne Rachlis,
Director of Education for
the AMDSB, said that he
would not expect changes of
the magnitude of option C.
Option C would affect up to
19 schools in the board,
with Walton Public School
and possibly Seaforth Public
School being closed and the
high school Ilecoming ,an
elementary school. '
Option C was a proposal
the board had been
considering as a way to
handle government funding
before a recent
announcement of increases
in the amount of money
available to school boards.
"It still remains that we
have 20 per cent excess
capacity. We have 4000
extra pupil spaces and we
have to decide if the board
wants to continue to support
those spaces, ',Rachlis said.
He added that the board
is doing its annual facility
review and incorporating
the school reviews into that.
"The board had decided
not to go with the Dec. 31
deadline and then the
premier made a decision to
make it an annual review
instead of a one time
deadline," Rachlis said.
He added that the review
will include all types of
possible changes from
attendance changes to
French immersion to
potential closures or
potential building.
Finan asked the board
that a team of parents and
community members be
allowed to work with the
board on their review.
"We want a team that has
the best interests of the kids
at heart," Finan said. "We
aren't going to buy into any
decision we are not
involved in."
Bonnie LaFontaine spoke
on behalf of a group of 75
parents who have formed
their own accommodation
review committee.
She told the board that
two months of consultation
time does not constitute an
accurate study.
"We understand that the
District School Boards of
Ontario will have a yearly
window of opportunity to
review their schools and
board operations,"
LaFontaine said. "From the
Toronto Star, 1 quote,
'Boards can now take as
much time as they feel they
need, a year or two, and
then qualify for the new
pupil places the following
year.'"
She added that the
provincial government has
ensured that school board
funding will be maintained
at current levels for one year
for those facing reductions,
and the government will
give full funding to schools
with 80 per cent capacity as
opposed to the previous 100
per cent capacity mandate.
Tree of Lights
celebration
Seaforth residents
gathered for the Seaforth
Hospital Auxiliary's Tree of
Lights ceremony at the
hospital Sunday night.(top,
left) Christina and Kassidy
Eckert visit with Santa --
Christina wouldn't tell
Santa what she was
leaving out for him on
Christmas Eve. (top, right)
Taylor Williamson reads his
letter to Santa. (middle,
left) The St. James Parish
Choir led a crowd in carols.
•
(above)Steve, Karissa, Kassidy and Kelsey Eckert watch as the Christmas lights on the
blue spruce in front of the hospital are turned on after the crowd that gathered sang 0
Christmas Tree. The event is a fund raiser for the hospital auxiliary which is trying to
purchase a pain pump by selling lights for the tree. Lights can be purchased throughout
the holiday season. (bottom, left) Keegan Meladay enjoys a cookie after meeting Santa.
J I :/JJ i J J J 11.131:-)
:-)
. i
R SPORT
adventure
J I •' r 1
iJJl J�JJJ
WE HAVE THE RIGHT LEASE PAYMENT FOR YOU
DOWNMYMENT
OR
EQUIVALENT TRADE
MONTEKY PAYMENT
3'
lt-000* MUM:
• 4AL 111 VII Sadat
• 11 -Spored Autosnafk
• Aka
• P, ualu m Sewed A14/1M Cassette
• freed Cenprl
• Leader -wrapped TAt Steering Wheel
• liaatete Keyless teal
SRM Cls. atoll No Mab
PLUS NO EXTRA CHARGE
SPORT PACKAGE
• Wheel* Mo4dh►/t
• w! Lamp
',• Minna pont and Rear Bumpers
Ode Step Ban
• W Milked Aharl ix i Wheels
• Rear tow Neck
1999 EXPLORER 4X4 4 -DOOR XL
Town and country driving confidence
Ir:fTN3
tkeell
BONN WNW
4-0000 MANUS:
• 4.OL 111 YS Regime • S -Speed Askeaatk
• Ai CendieleeinR • TM famine Wheel
• freed Ceetrel • Rear* KsNeM Mr/
• Came Came • Mvaty gas
30
MOMTM
LIAta
PLUS VALUE•ADDEi l
XL PACKAGE
• Pewit Group • Layap Rads
• Cal AMNmtotto Ili WLt..Y
• OWL Wanda Tim
• C.I.ar.lfaysd S.r/Ms M.wldlap
• • OA taMakel Chaim
Hurry In. Now getting to the top with a
4x4 is affordable...and a lot more fun.
DRAMS
FORD
\tL'Ie IJI\ I//•
WPM INNERS RUO TME LEGAL COPY. 'NSW 1999 tapleres 2-0oor Sport with Premium Sport Package, Explain 4-0oor XL monthly lease payment of 1299/3399 a month bawd on 30 -month kale
from ford Credit to qualified (tail lessees, on approved credit. Some conditions and a mileage restriction of 50,000 km over 30 months appy. 59,995/14,995 down payment or equivalent trade
required. Tint month's payment and security deposit required All offers exclude freight (5795). licence, Insurance and all applicable taxes Explorer 2 -0u4 -0r. lease rate is based on monthly interest
rates of 4 9%I7 9% over 90 months Dealer may lease for less Offers may change w,thout notke. Limited time offers s Ontario SAIDA PO. Box 2000, Oakville. Ontario L91 SEI