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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2000-01-12, Page 22 -TILE HURON EXPOSITOR. January 12, 2000 News Committee prepares to make case for schools Group will try to show board social and economic impact of school closures From Pope 1 been before them so many times, they just put me on mute when I start to talk," says Agar. At Monday night's meeting of• the study committee, the group was still working to complete its study of the finances and facilities of the three Seaforth-area schools and hadn't yet put together a plan that would meet its mandate of suggesting an alternate but equivalent reduction in empty student spaces, in overhead costs or an alternate but equivalent increase in revenue. Ross says the committee will not even be addressing the board's directive to assume the schools will be closed this June and look,at placement of students, transition arrangements and alternate arrangements for community uses of the school. Their stategy is to show the social and economic impact on the school closure would have on the community to justify why the school must remain open. "The high school is the lifoblood of small town Ontario, especially when we have just one in town and just one. We need to protect this critical educational service," he says. Thc cluster study committee has been meeting every Monday night since the schools were listed for possible closures, most meetings atttended also by superintendent Geoff Williams and two trustees Abby Armstrong and Colleen Schenk. Committee members include: for Seaforth Public School, school council chair Susan Arts, Lisa Campbell and Alf Ross; for Seaforth District High School, school council chair Maureen Agar, Carolanne Doig and Dick Burgess; for Walton, Public School, school council chair Dianne Van Vliet, Marie McGavin and Barb Durrell. The principals of each school also sit on the committees. "We didn't like the set-up of the committees so we changed it," says Agar. The director's action report, which outlined guidelines for the formation of the community study committees, said that the named school and potential receiving schools would have membership on each committee, which will be comprised on the principal and school council chair for each school involved. "We're not even looking at the possibility of the school closing. The board can look at the negative if they want Susan Hundertmark photo Ann Cronin of Dublin signs a register in support of keeping local schools. open. People attending an open house at Seaforth Knechtel Food Market Monday night were asked to sign the register. The store will donate $2 for every signature toward the school saving effort. "Now we've gotten town The board agenda only allows 20 minutes for public input at each of the public meetings, a fact with which Ross says he's very uncomfortable. He says it will be difficult as spokesperson of the study ommittee to present all the information in 20 minutes and is unhappy that other members of the public will not be able to speak at the public meetings. to. Our job is to be positive, "council involved, all, the says Agar. players are working She adds that iCharles together," says Ross, who Smitb is still working on adds he has also been having raising money for a possible discussions with Huron - law suit against the Avon Maitland District School Board. On Jan. 3, Seaforth town council formed a committee to help the study committee gather infomation on the impact of school closures on local residents and businesses. Endorsements from Seaforth town council and McKillop and Tuckersmith township councils have also been received by the cluster study committee supported their efforts to keep local schools open, says Agar. Brussels and Grey Township councils are also expected to make an endorsement as well. Bruce MPP Helen Johns. "She'll be getting involved when we have a plan," he says. Ross says the committee's plans to keep local schools open will be presented at public meetings at,the three schools this week, starting Jan. 13 at 7,p.m. at Duff's United Church for Walton Public School, continuing Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at Seaforth Public School and Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at Seaforth District High School. "It's very, very important that as many people be there as possible at the public meetings," he says. Flu causes five deaths as health unit recommends everyone get flu shots From Pogo 1 December has closed eight long-term care facilities and is responsible for the deaths of five Huron County residents in those facilities. Recent years have seen only five or six facilities close. ' "Any death is unfortunate but it's not out of the ordinary," said Price of the number of people who have died from the flu. Right now, she said it doesn't look worse than usual but it will depend on how the rest of the season goes. Flu outbreaks usually occur between November and March with Huron County tending to start a little later than other regions, although Pricc does not know why that • happens. This season started in December and could last as long as March however, Price doesn't scc thc current flu bug getting any worse. This past weekend, there were no new outbreaks reported in any of the long term care facilities in the county, one of the areas the health unit monitors closely during flu season, and no more facilities closed their doors. • Last week, Seaforth Manor Nursing Home and Retirement Home, closed, counting/as two of the eight facilities that shut their doors to visitors in an attempt to control the spread of flu. Maplewood Manor remains open. Price said the first outbreak this season was reported in a school, another area the unit closely monitors. "�Wjth students back in sbhool, they will be watching the absentee rates reported by principals and will be concerned if the rate reaches about 10 per cent in elementary schools and 12 per cent in high schools. If more than one-third of the county's schools report that rate, coupled with what reports they are receiving from emergency rooms at hospitals, the health unit will take another look at whether or not this is an epidemic situation. Seaforth Community Hospital reports some scheduling trouble after some nursing staff came down with the flu and a busy emergency room, particularly on the New Year's weekend when the Seaforth Medical Clinic was closed, but have not had to take any serious measures to combat the flu within the.facility. "We've had many, many people coming in [with the flu]," said Mary Cardinal. clinical site leader at the hospital. -- Patients with the flu arc kept in isolation, a standard procedure, to control its spread to other patients and Cardinal said this year, the number of staff members who have had their flu shots is up by 25 per cent. "More of our staff are immunized this year," she said. They have been helping patients with the flu since about Christmas Day "We have not taken any special cautions yet outside our normal routine," said Cardinal. Medical Officer of Health Bcth Henning recently announccd that people should not go to the emergency rooms with thc flu because there is nothing they can do for them. "There's nothing to be prescribed for the flu," said Cardinal. "If you have the flu, stay home." "If you're feeling ill, stay home and take care of yourself," said Pricc. Flu symptoms include a fever of above 38 degrees F for two to four days., sore throat, runny nose, congestions, general aches and pains and a cough. In addition to staying at home, Price recommends good hygiene and frequent hand washing to help control its spread. Thc current virus has not been identified yet and will take two to three weeks to determine but is believed to by thc Sydney strain, included in this year's vaccines. With announcements in the media this week about a possible flu pandemic, a country -wide epidemic that takes thousands of lives, Price said the normal precautions the health unit takes each year will help them be prepared for this possibility. They work with long-term care facilities annually to go over plans for controlling flu outbreaks, an arca of particular concern because of the frailty of some seniors who can die from the flu. Price said the key is the supply of vaccine for the outbreaks but said most occur first in Asian countries and allow North America to prepare a vaccine that includes those strains. Before thE flu arrives in Canada, people will have hada Nance to be immunized against the particular strains. Price said everyone not allergic to the vaccine should receive a flu shot each year. This would help prepare for any possible pandemics. 4 TIAVELrilOFEsS)ONALSINTERNATIONAL' Trl - TRAVEL SEAFORTH DAVE At MICHELLE DEJGHTON Assa.nts 43 4AI' STREET FJ 105 iia` sLAFOITH 05 5`( 19.0 TELEPHONE )519)527-209.2 FACSIMILE (519) 527.277$ E-MAIL dd.lghtonewi),$ )'on a. ONTARIO REC.'5TRATIO" w04h7I665 small TALK Complete Automotive Repair "Class A Mechanic" TIRE SALES, SERVICE 8 REPAIR ARCHE'S S &atom 4o52E[ 24 oderichSSt.t. E. Sea ort Because their first words are so important! 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Lynne Lawson, Administrator Ed & Carolyn Ozimek & Family Thank You to: Diane An rson Pat Armstr Lois Behnish Betty Bennett Deb Barry Pat Bisback Cynthia Blackwood Ivy Broadfoot Lois Bell Cathy Broome Jody Brown Ruth Campbell Ann Coyne Cheryl Ducharme Kathy Ducharme Christine Devereaux Margaret DeBoer Lisa Dupee Brenda Dalton Vicki Dalrymple Karen Damsma Tara Edwards Vema Edgar Mary Fotheringham Melissa Finlayson Louann From Rose Feeney Charlene Foxton Tracy Gerber Jane Habkirk Val Hawke Lorraine Hunt Mariann Hayter Rick Hoffman 'Debbie Hill g Amy Harman Betty Jantzi . Andrea Longstaff Anne Leiper Carolyn Litt Amanda McClory Cheryl McClure Judy McLean Cheyenne McClinchey Wilma Misner Dianne Muir Barbara Miller Joan McLachlan Bobbi Miller Cindy Nigh Julie McKenzie Anne'Powell Cheryl Phillips Chris Ryan Alice Short Jeanette Stoll Mary Stretton Carrie Sharpe Kathy Scott Ellie Schoonderwoerd Val Shortreed Marci Schoenaals Mariann Vanesbroeck Barb Shannon Myma Smith Connie Townsend Leanne Van Dyk Sandy Vincent Marie Vanderveen