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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1999-02-10, Page 66—THE HURON EXPOSITOR, February 10, 1999 - Board uses reserves to break even on its 1998/99 budget BYTLM CU11I1111NG Mitchell Advocate Staff The public- school board for . Perth and Huron Counties is. using $500,000 it had in reserve for, retirement gratuities to break even on 1998-99 budget -estimates for the Ontario government. The Avon Maitland District School Board also removed ` . more ._ than $393,000 from improvements and alterations to keep its normal .operation spending'to"under $129 million. As well as axing renovation dollars the board administration.says it's spending $1.4 million less on capital projects than in previous years. The administration also estimates there is an almost $700,000 reduction in technology spending, compared to the combined former boards of Perth and Huron. • The board approved budget estimates on Jan. 26 to avoid being penalized by the Ontario Ministry _ of Education and Training. • The Superintendent of -Corporate Operations and Information Technology. Janet Baird -Jackson. described budget figures as•a "moving target" due to changes in the numbers that come from the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training. Many expenses are fixed in 'envelopes' of funding "which: prevent the board from putting more money into its buildings, she.said. "We - don't have the. flexibility we've had in the past." Under .the Ontario .government's _1 .resent education reform, school boards cannot have a deficit or raise taxes independently. :'The board says Ontario government funding. will decrease by close to 52 million next year and a further $570.000 in the following year.. There is no expansion of ,programsor services under the budget except for the • Early - Learning, Opportunities • Grant • estimated at $195,489. Baird -Jackson thanked residents for their pressure on the Ontario government _: _ which resulted in a promise of a top -up to spending the next school year. Outgoing superintendent of business* Marilyn. Marklevitz noted that in future years the board can't use income from such areas as the sale of administrative -buildings. which netted the board more than $1 million. The board was told there are problems with the Ministry's efforts to regroup figures - into their new categories. The problems. according to a report to the board. are amalgamating two financial systems into one and new Ministry reporting formats. An independent -study of the public schools in Perth and Huron "to keep the heat in and the rain and snow out" was completed for the ----board ----board from October -through -- December by an architect, mechanical. electrical and structural engineers and board facilities staff. Repair work was labeled by priority. depending upon whether it needed immediate attention or could be done at a later date. • The board says it needs. about $27 million over 10 years. or $2.7 million a year. to keep its schools in good 'shape.. .according to the study. The board will have less revenue 'than that, however, at an estimated $2 million this year and $2.4 million the following year in facilities 'unding, according to Baird I ekson. • The $2 ' million figure doesn't include 'discretionary' items such as accessibility and ventilation. • which would be another $S million over 10 years. The board hu no money, it says, for. any renovations to improve school laboratories, gymnasiums or to renovate for.programs like junior kindergarten Trustee wanted ' The Aeon Maitland District School Board is seeking a replacement for trustee Leslie -Woo who resignedat the Jan 6 bo Meeting.. board ccepted her. resignation " h regret." Wood was el led to serve a zone 'which .inc 1 s West Perth. Perth South and the Town of St. Marys,` Past board chair Abby Armstrong said. the past year has been stressful for trustees. She .praised Wood for putting students first. "She always kept students at the front." she.said. "It's a' tremendous loss to the 'board:" • • The board will advertise' for a new trustee in area newspapers. • • The new trustee must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18, a resident of Huron or Perth County and a public school elector. The deadline is Feb. 9. INFORM SESSION ONATION APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES SPEAKER: Larry Ready Ministry of Education & Training Apprenticeship Office at Seaforth District High School Gym Tuesday, February 16 1:45 p.m. 41 Avon Maitland • '•Y N• UNnv Jenine Fischer of Seaforth Public School takes carefull aim in the Knights of Columbus free throw competition held at St. James Catholic School on Friday. (HILGENDORFF PHOTO). TOWN OF SEAFORTH NOTICE DOG TAGS/RABIES VACCINATIONS . 1999 Dog Tags are now on sale. Dog owners have until March 15th. 1999 to renew their dog's registration. After March 15th. 1999 a late registration fee of $15.00 will be charged in addition lo 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 mate dog or female dog: '40.00 • For the third mate dog, female dog, neutered male. dog,'. or spayed female dog: • '75.00 • 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 36 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 as such. Seaforth and area has had a number of positive rabies incidents in the past; so to ensure the safety of your animal, other animals and children, please have your dog or cat vaccinated regularly • Guaranteed investment Certificates from more than 30 banks and trust companies to provide YOU with the best rates. Doug Elliott B. Ma h Seaforth 5420%5.1ASPP121 R 5 Year 80% • R • 301o59 RSP Days All Deposits Insured Within Limits Pates subject To Verification • ir21e4m€flfCer*€ 96 Main St. 527-0420 Serving Seaford! Since -1986 Lye care recommendations for school -aged children and adults By: Dr. Louis LaPlante Age has a lot to do with how often .1 person should - be -examined by an"optometrist. Vision may change frequent=' ly during the school years. I have Lound the most common problems to be the -.development and progression of nearsight- edness,astigmatism and the existence of eye focusing and/or eye'misalignment dithculues. Of major concern,here is that children and young adults are. often unaware the problem exists and it may very well be affecting school pertormance. - . It is generally recommended that school age (6 to (8 years) persons be examined before first grade and every two years thereafter. Children considered to be at risk should be seen annually. At risk means. those who fail to p'rogress•educa- tionally and show signs of reading and/or learning disabilities: Examination frequency clbanges to every two to three years for adults aged. l9 to 63. Society has ,changed dra- matically over the past decade with the increased visual demands br&iughton.by technologyand computer use. Optimum eye health is important tor maint,uning one's Fro- ductivitv and efficiency- • • • Adults; beginning in theft early'to mid -forties, can • expeltence changes in their ability to see clearlyarclose dis- tances. This normal aging changein the eye's focusing will continue during the forties and-titttes. In addition, Increases in the incidence of.0e e health prOblems.occur during these years. Individuals at rtsk;ahould follow their optometrist's - advice on how often they need care. This includes those diagnosed with diabetes; high blood pressure, or who have a family history of glaucoma and cataracts. People taking • certain medications with possible.eye-related side effects are also at risk (ask your pharmacist!) ' • Annual exams are recommer(ded fool ldults Aged 65. or older: This group has an increaseJ.rtsk forthe develop • - ment of cataracts,. glaucoma, macular -degeneration', and other sight disabling, and/ tsr threatening condnruln' often related' t o gerieral health • Following these guidelines for rc ulareye care can help prevent Vision problems: unctaver .ind treat disease as early as possible when treatment can be more effective, and help everyone see as well as they can.- February 24: Watch/a!: Eve rare aJi ice for parents ane-tefichers Ford F -Series - Canada's Best Selling Line of Pickups for 33 Years. F-SERI 99 Ford F Series. Winner of Consumers Digest Best Buy Award. 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