Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 1999-12-22, Page 88 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, December 22, 1999 News Two more special board meetings approved to hear delegations By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Staff The Avon Maitland District School Board last week approved two more special board meetings to hear delegation on Feb. 15 and 16. "We will endeavour to hear everyone who applies to be heard at those meetings," said hoard chair Wendy Anderson. A schedule of meetings related to the study of seven schools for potential closure was presented to trustees. Starting in January, a series of public community meetings will be held at the schools which have been named for potential closure. Trustee Vickie Culbert asked why c my two delegations would be allowed to speak at the community meetings. Education Director Lorne Rachlis responded that each community would have to plan how it could best use the 20 minutes alloted to delegations at the community meetings. Student trustee Sarah Agar asked trustees to consider extending the timeline of the study of schools for potential closure "if there is a public outcry for it." Rachlis responded that the timeline will not be changed. The community meetings, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in each school, begin on Jan. 11 at Falstaff Public School, followed by Jan. 12 at Downie Central Public School, Jan. 13 at Walton Public School, Jan. 17 at Seaforth Public School, Jan. 19 at McCurdy Public School. Jan. 20 at Seaforth District High School and Jan. 24 at Vanastra Community School. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and 2 are reserved as dates w hold public meetings if inclement weather forces the cancellation of any of the meetings. On Feb. 3, reports from the community study committees are due 'for inclusion in the Feb. 8 hoard agenda. when the reports will be presented along with a director's information report including data from the community study groups. The two delegations -only meetings on Feb. 15 and 16 will be the last meetings before the final' decision is trade regarding school closures at the Feb. 22 board meeting. Federation of agriculture invites board to join them in lobbying the province The president and vice president of the Huron County. Federation of Agriculture asked the Avon Maitland District School Board at last week's meeting to join with them to lohhy the province for a rural education strategy. • President Pat Down, of RR 1 Hensall, asked the board not to close any sehool.s until a funding formula is developed for ' rural school boards. Vice president Charles Regele, of McKillop Township. told the board that the federation shares the concerns of a delegation of citizens which attended its last meeting to discuss school closures. "Large geographic boards in rural areas arc at a disadvantage because we do not have the population densities of ,predominantly urban boards, we. are looking at vastly different distances to our schools and we must acknowledge that schools in rural comn)unities are part of our rural identity and essential to our community well being," Down told trustees. She. quoted numbers for the Education Improvement Commission (EiC) which stated that if all elementary schools in the province under 350 students were closed. the result would be a - loss_ of 53 per cent of Ontario's elementary schools. "This is not acceptable." she said. Down said schools should he allowed to eliminate Quoted The present grant structure results in a • growing inequity in the quality of school Pat Down, president of facilities,'-- Huron County Federation of Agria iture wings, instead of being closed and that a maximum busing time of 45 minutes should be set. She added that pupil accommodation grants need to be based on smaller areas within a school board. "A geographic area as large as Huron and Perth Counties is far too large to have the need for a new school in the northwest corner he determined by empty student spaces in the southeast corner when these areas arc two hours or more away from each other," she said. "The present grant structure results in a growing inequity in the quality of school facilities available to students," said Down. - Regele urged the board to include the 20 per cern top - up funding in its budget. The top -up funding, which allows schools with capacities less than 100 per cent to add 20 per cent to their numbers, was announced last year by the province after' protest about the new funding formula. "Failure to do this leads you down a slippery slope you may not be able to get off of. If,you budget without it, it becomes very easy for the ministry to say you don't need it.," he said. Regele asked the board to make decisions with more "transparency" since school closures become much more controversial when the public feels that information is being withheld. He also asked trustees to base decisions on information provided and supported by the community. "Failure to work with these committees and act upon their recommendations further erodes the integr1ity of the board and the trust the citizens have placed with you," he said. "You need to take these recommendations seriously so these committees have a sense of responsibility and purpose and are working with you in an atmosphere of trust and respect." Regele also asked trustees to investigate other strategies before closing schools, such as the agricultural course being suggested for the Seaforth area. "These types of initiatives need to be investigated as alternatives to school closures," he said. By Susan Hundernnark SEAFORTH RECREATION DEPARTMENT Winter Programs 2000 FURNITURE REFINISHING MONDAYS BEGiNNING IANUARY 10, 2000 7:00 to 9:0(1 pm each night at the Seaforth District High School for 10 weeks. Registration tee is 5.50.00 WOOD WORKING TUEDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 11, 2000 7:00 to 9:00 pm each night at the Seaforth Distnct High School for 10 weeks. Registration fee is 545.00 DOG OBEDIENCE TUESDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 11, 2000 Dog Dlie-i i art'•i-vii b- hold aTth' Seat •rth & District Community Centres from 7:00 to 8:011 pm. Registration he will he 5-15.00. Please hung your dog on the first night. MIXED BASKETBALL THURSDAY EVENINGS beginning JANUARY 13, 2000 from 8:00 to .10:00 pm at the Seaforth Distnct High School. Registration fee for this i0 week program is 530.00 LEARN TO DANCE WEDNESDAY EVENINGS beginning JANUARY 12, 2000 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Seaforth & District Community Centres. This 10 week program will cost 570.00 per couple. Please come with a partner. • MIXED VOLLEYBALL WEDNESDAY EVENINGS beginning JANUARY 12, 2000 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm at the Seaforth District -High School -for 10 - weeks. Registration Fee is S30.00 FITNESS IS FUN TUESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:00 TO 10:00 am beginning JANUARY 4, 2000. instructor Nelva Scott will guide you through 13 weeks of Low impact aerobics using weights and dyna bands. Registration fee will be S75.00 for 2 times per week or 545.00 for one time per week. OFLOOR.- STEP TRAINING WEDNESDAY EVENINGS FROM 7:00 TO 8:00 pm beginning JANUARY 5, 2000. IF Instructor Kae Huberts will guide you through 10 weeks of High impact aerobics on the floor and using the step with weights. Registration fee will be 540.00 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE PROGRAMS PLEASE CALL MARTY AT THE RECREATION OFFICE 527-0882 Safe stolen A safe was reported stolen from New Orleans Pizza on Dec. 6 amounting to a loss - of more than S3.700 in cash and damages. The theft occurred after someone forced their way into the business and dragged the safe through a rear door, leaving marks on the floor. The theft occurred between 12:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. that day and anyone with information is asked to contact the Huron OPP or ,Crimestoppers at I-800= 222-84'!7. small TALK Huron -Perth Pre-school Speech/Language Initiative SmaIITALK is a free service provided by local health agencies. Because their first words are so important! If you're concerned about the way your child talks, please call - 273-2222 or 1-800-269-3683 for information or a speech assessment TO ALL RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF SEAFORTH TOWNSHIP OF MCKILLOP TOWNSHIP OF TUCKERSMITH The Municipal Offices at 72 Main Street South in Seaforth will be closed for Christmas Holidays from Noon on Friday, December 24, 1999 until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2000. Outstanding taxes should be paid before 12:00 Noon on December 24, 1999 at the Municipal Office, to avoid additonal penalty, or by December 31, 1999 at one of the chartered banks or by mail. . Jack McLachlan, Administrator, Clerk -Treasurer Town of Seaforth, Township of McKillop, Township of Tuckersmith 72 Main Street South Box 610 Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1WO Phone: 519 527-0160 Fax: 519 527-2561 Important Notice to Drivers and Vehicle Owners Some Ministry of Transportation (MTO) driver and vehicle licensing servlces will only be available until 11 a m on Friday, December 31, 1999. as the ministry an be taking the necessary steps to protect critical driver. vehicle and carrier information for the new year After 11 a.m , some licensing transactions, such as plate renewals, will continue to be However, payment must be made by cash or cheque only Licensing services that will not be available include: , • renewing driver's licences • replacing drivers licences • replacing vehicle or plate permits • issuing first-time driver's licences • changing/correcting vehicle identification numbers (VIN} • obtaining a Used Vehicle 1pformation Package IUVIPI • obtaining driver, vehicle and carrier abstracts • ordering Own Choice Plates • exchanging out -of -province driver's licences • changing licence classes or endorsements • booking road tests by telephone , Carrier licensing services for the trucking industry that will not be available include: • issuing Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) certificates. Truck Transportation Act • and Motor Vehicle Transportation Act and Motor Vehicle Inspection Station licences • replacing or changing CVOR cert Plicates, operating licences and Moor Vehicle Inspection Station licences MTO services provided through Service0ntario kiosks will not be available from 11 a m on Friday, December 3Y, 1999 until noon on Sunday. January 2. 2000 MTO offices will open for normal business after the New Year's holiday on Tuesday, January 4, 2000. Some issuing offices will be open on Monday. January 3, 2000. Please check directly with the office in your area Numbers are listed in the blue pages of your telephone directory available , www.mto.gov.on.ca/english CD Ontario Calling all L -111)J' Published Wed. Jan. 5, 2000 -A-Photo Display of Babies born in '99 i toir BABIES i,ritt - - Join the newest family member. 1n The Huron Expositor's "Babies on Parade" III Send or bring a picture of your little one born in 1999, including full name, birth date and parents names, to be featured in The Huron Expositor's "Babies on Parade" on January 5, 2000 (or only $15.00 (GST included). Please send picture (with name on back) along with a cheque to The Huron Expositor, P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ont., NOK IWO by 2:00 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 30th. Photos may be picked up after January 7. This must be pre -paid. SAMPLE Please Complete Baby's Full Name Birth Date Parents' Names $15.00 Enclosed 0 DEADLINE - DECEMBER 30th, 2:00 pm NAME OF BABY ;41C - DATE OF BiRTH PARENTS X1 The Huron Expositor 100 Main St,, Seaforth 527-0240