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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2000-11-15, Page 7News Scott Hilgendorff photo Spot check Officer Andrew Maclsaac of the Ontario Provincial Police checks a vehicle on Highway 8 in Seaforth Friday afternoon during a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) check for drinking drivers. One driver was charged with a drunk driving offence in McKillop Township when officers moved the spot check 10 County Road 12. No solutions yet to extracurricular stand-off By Stew Slater Special to The Huron Expositor A partial solution to this year's scarcity of high school - level extra -curricular activities in the Avon Maitland District School Board could lie in ,the board's ongoing contract negotiations with its teachers, and it's a solution which has already been put in place by the Huron -Penh Catholic District School Board. Various causes and an equally diverse range of possible solutions for the dilemma were discussed Nov. 1 at what the Avon Maitland hoard billed as a 'Stakeholders' Meeting" at its Scatorth-based offices. The meeting represented the first time since the introduction of a revised student trustee program almost two years ago that non-voting student trustees were given a truly active part in the board's business. They were provided scats at the table, including time for introductory and concluding remarks. along with several other stakeholder groups. And they made their presence felt. especially Stratford Central Secondary School representative Devin Litt, who entered the discussion with more than one proposed solution. It was Litt who first wondered why more secondary -level extra- curricular activities are currently being offered in. the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board. which operates high schools in Clinton and Stratford. He hinted at rumours the Catholic hoard had agreed to pay for supply teachers to cover for teachers/supervisors when their extra -curricular duties take them away from their classrooms. And it was clear from some other representatives' comments that covering' for teachers who aren't absent. but just performing other duties -- what's called "on- call" teaching -- is a bone of contention. "Many teachers will not return as coaches when they • know that. if they leave the school. their colleagues. who arc already facing increasing workloads, will have to cover Litt them. And that has put up roadblocks." said Bob Ellison. a St. Marys DCVI teacher and long-time extra -curricular coach. who represented the Huron -Perth athletics conference at the meeting. Bill Huzar. president of the local District 8 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). offered a history of the present Conservative government's actions towards high school teachers. explaining the introduction of Bill 160 in 1997 forced boards to fill "on- call" duties from within their regular teaching schedule. Contacted following the Avon Maitland meeting. Catholic hoard director of education Gaetan Blanchette confirmed an alternate arrangement for on -calls was part of a collective agreement reached in September. which made the board one of the first in the province to reach a deal with its high school teachers under this year's tough government -created negotiation regime. "What we've done is we've budgeted some money to bring in supply teachers ... to cover for teachers that are away for tournaments or coaching."Blanchette explained. He cautioned, however, that extra -curricular activities have only partially returned; they're still not operating at last year's levels. Neither Huzar hor Avon Maitland superintendent Bill Gerth, who chaired the Stakeholders' Meeting, would comment directly on negotiations between the board and the OSSTF. But followinki Litt's inquiry about on -calls, Gerth acknowledged the issue has come up during thc talks, which are set to resume in mid-November.' And in an interview following the meeting. Gerth admitted such a compromise is a possibility. But he cautioned it would be "a significant change in (the hoard's;) present priorities." And he added such a solution would come at a cost, both to the board and to teachers. "The question is whether or not the hoard will be able to deliver that by taking the money from somewhere else in the budget. and if the teachers would accept that , solution." Gerth said. For their part. the OSSTF representatives repeatedly stated, during the meeting, that they would prefer a long- term solution to the problem. rather than what Huzar called "hand -aid" initiatives. He said one, long-term answer could he a move to community volunteers. though he added such ;a change would require g full- scale revamping of the infrastructure surrounding extra -curricular activities. Anyway. he said, teachers would prefer a return to thcir past involvement. Still, much of the meeting's discussion centred on thc possibility of community volunteers. It became clear. however. that there arc many roadblocks in that path. including a reluctance of the hoard's insurer to fully sanction such arrangements. Robins argued the only suitable Tong -term solution is a . reduction in , teacher workload. which can only be achieved through -governmental change. Any short-term solutions would allow the government to convince people no change is needed. he said. Litt was the first to criticize the OSSTF approach, participating in a short one- on-one exchange with Huzar that•culminated in the OSSTF president stating, "I don't have a short-term answer." And later. in his rcmarks to close the meeting, Avon Maitland director of education Lome Rachlis said, "students have a very limited time to he served by these activities, and I don't think they, should be asked to wait until the government and the union conflict is resolved. We can't wait." The evening didn't lack its positive moments, however.' Exeter -based South Huron District High School's Deb Homuth, speaking on behalf of secondary principals' suggested inviting teachers to describe what scheduling alternatives might help them resume extra -curricular duties, and hosting information sessions to recruit possible community volunteers. ' , And statements by both Rachlis and Gerth hinted that 'the board may be willing to examine its 'role in certain solutions. Gerth acknowledged that, on -calls could be discussed during teacher negotiations. and Rachlis suggested the board could look into another proposed solution -- thc possibility of turning some extra -curricular activities into credit -granting portions of the curriculum, thereby allowing teachers to participate as part of their regularly -assigned workload. TNR HURON IXPOSITOR, November 15, 2000-7 ATTENTION The Huron Expositor would like to draw your attention to a mistake in this year's phone book. Stedmans under the Seaforth listing should read 527-1950. If you wouldn't mind taking a pen and changing the number to read 527-1950, we would appreciate it. THANK YOU r 1 1 1 111 111 1 1 1 1 1 1 TRAVEL VOUCHER www. Saving4U.com ONLINE -COUPONS L 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 J The Clinton and District Christian School Society thanks the following individuals and businesses for their generous donations to the 13th Arial Talent anti Services Auction held at the school on Nov. 3, 2000. A big 'THANK YOU' to Richard Lobb and Norm Whiting for auctioning for the night. Thanks to those who donated financially and those who donated anonymously. With your help, $23, 500.00 was raised. We praise God for the support of our community as we endeavor to educate His children according to His word, 21st Century Dairy Equipment Agatha VandeBan Al & Francis Heyink Alice deWeerd Alice Steenbergen All Around the House Andy & Chris deBoer Andy & Jennie Miedema Anne & Lisa Kaastra Anstett Jewellers Art's Landscaping Auburn Co-op Avonbank Farm Equip & lad -Vent Distrib. B&M Fine Furniture Bakelaar Jewetlen Baker's Nursery Balloons to You Barry Culbert Bernie & Marsha Miedema Beyond the Garden Path Bill & Cathy Branderhorst Bill & Mae Roest Bill Gerrits Blake's Welding Blue Fountain Restaurant Blue Horizon Pools Blyth Citizen Blyth Festival Theatre Blyth Veterninary Services Bruce & Bill Roy Bryan Levis Insurance Cargill Ltd. 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