HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-17, Page 25COM IINITY
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Four students from China are welcomed as the first to be enrolled in an English-as-a-
Second-Lanuage program at Centralia International Academy on Monday. At left, College
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Yan (Lou) and Bob Swartman, special assistant to Huron -Bruce MP, Paul Steckle.
Your Views
Letters to the editor
Separate school board has right to be different
The rights of Roman Catholics to gov-
ern_ their own separate school system
in Ontario was guaranteed at
Confederation
Dear Editor:
Over the past few weeks a few of the towns and
townships in Huron and Perth counties have passed
resolutions calling on the Ontario government to re-
move the traditional rights of Roman Catholics to
govern their own school system, as a means of re-
ducing costs. This has been followed by the launch-
ing of a campaign by the Huron County Board of
Education to petition riding MLA Helen Johns and
the Ontario government to create "a single publicly
funded school system" in Huron County. Presuma-
bly this action by the Huron County Board of Edu-
cation has been undertaken in order to save money,
and not solely for the purpose of taking away the
aforementioned traditional rights of Roman Catho-
tics it it tjucatiogtofil R t 1 v.,
In ,fin .ort to have'members of the public more
knowlcTgeahle about this issue, and to separate fact
from myth, please allow us to offer the following in-
formation:
I. The right of Roman Catholics to govern their
own separate school systems in Ontario was guaran-
teed at Confederation. This was part of the constitu-
tional compromise necessary to create our country
m 1867. Our ancestors made great personal sacrific-
es to obtain and preserve this right. As a result, the
constitutional guarantee continues today.
2. The Report of the Ontario School Board Reduc-
tion Task Force indicated that the Huron -Perth
County R.C.S.S. Board is a viable entity, and that it
should be left as it is. Dividing, this school board
along county lines would do nothing to enhance the
education of Ronian Catholic children.
3. The separate school trustees and the separate
school ratepayers in Huron and Perth counties made
their wishes known to the Task Force: they stated
clearly that they wanted their school board retained
as it is, and that they did not wish it to be amalga-
mated with any other school board. The campaign
by the Huron County Board of Education to create
"a single publicly funded school system" in Huron
County is being undertaken in direct opposition to
the clearly expressed wishes of the Catholic com-
munity.
4. The overwhelming body of research surround-
ing the issue of. school board size clearly demon-
strates that increasing the size of school boards
(e.g., merging systems, creating confederated
boards, etc.) produces no cost savings. As well, it
often results in a significant reduction in student
achievement.
5. According to Ministry of Education and Train-
ing statistics, the average separate school board
spends $932 less per pupil than does the average
public school board in Ontario. Locally, the Huron -
Perth County R.C.S.S. Board spends $692 less per
pupil than the Perth County Board of Education and
$856 less per pupil than the Huron County Board of
Euducation. How would the creation of "a single
publicly funded school system" benefit separate
school ratepayers or students? Does anyone actually
believe that a public school board would reduce its
spending level to match the separate school board?
Or would the merging of services serve to reduce
the cost of the public school board's operation be
off-loading some of their expenditures onto the sep-
arate school ratepayers?
6. The suggestion that "a single publicly funded
school system" for Huron county could provide for
all sectors and protect the language and religious
ri tats, of i parties c es
of ImIet Il _ denm u
lying religiously -based (separate school) education.
While the Catholic school system does not pretend,
to be unaffected by our secular society, it continues
to present a distinctive view of the origin, dignity'
and destiny of human life. The Catholic community"
believes that this distinctive approach to education
would be compromised within the context of "a sin-
gle publicly funded school system" where financial
and administrative control could be in the hands of
people who do not support or even oppose the vi-
sion of education. Our faith permeates all parts of
our system's operation, including the business and
support services.
Education is facing some of the most significant
challenges in the history of this province. The mem-
bers of those Councils who have taken it upon them-
selves to meddle in the affairs of school boards
would better serve the ratepayers who elected them
by concentrating on providing the services for
which they have authority in a high quality and fis-
cally responsible manner. As well, perhaps the Hu-
ron County Board of Education would be better to
agree to respect the separate school board's right to
be different, and to focus its energy on meeting the
needs of its own students and ratepayers. In this
way, the two boards could enter into voluntary co-
operative partnerships based on a spirit of mutual re-
spect and good will as the Huron -Perth County
R.C.S.S. Board and the Perth County Board of Edu-
cation do at the present time.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Miller, Chairperson of the Board
James S. Brown, M.A., Ed. D., Director of Educa-
tion-
Cooperation i,s needed
"Instead of forcing a wedge be-
tween groups, we should be look-
ing
ooking for common ground and con-
; tinue our cooperation."
Dear Editor:
It' was with a great deal of interest and concern
that I recently read the letters of Paul Carroll ad-
dreSsed to all staff members of the Huron Public
Education System and to the Editor re: the forma-
tion of one Huron County Board of Education.
I was encouraged by the fact that he acknowledg-
es ttiat reform in educational finance is necessary
and would benefit Huron County students. The
Sweeney report states that financial funding is need-
ed for the rest of the reform recommendations to be
successful. >I}ecause both the Huron Public and Hu-
ron -Perth Separate School Boards are rural based,
this Should be a prime concern for both School
Boards.
Mr. Carroll disagrees with the proposal of amal-
gamation with the Perth County Board of Educa-
tion. We in the Huron -Perth Separate School Board
have been working with this for over 25 years.
The Huron -Perth Separate School Board already
works closely with both the Huron and Perth county
boards to reduce costs by combining services.
What Mr. Carroll suggests is just another layer of
Administration that could slow the process of
change and adaptation to the constant demands of
the Ministry of Education. "Collective agreements
and approaches to labour relations are just two of
the significant differences between counties. Sala-
ries, benefits, access to vacation and(other working
conditions also differ." His words may be valid
when comparing the Huron and Perth Boards but
are just as valid when comparing the Public and
Separate School Boards of Huron County.
To solve a problem, Mr. Carroll attacks the consti-
tutional rights of the Roman Catholics. Instead of
joining forces with not only the Huron -Perth County
Separate School Board, but with all small or rural
underfunded boards and demanding reform of edu-
cational financing, a Sweeney recommendation that
he himself admits is the most important, he tries to
drive a blunt wedge between us.
If he attacks one group's Constitutional rights
now, what other minority group may he target next
to solve a problem. Instead of forcing a wedge be-
tween groups, we should be looking for common
ground and continue our cooperation.
Terry Wilhelm, President,
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association
Huron -Perth Elentetttmr Teachers
Times -Advocate, April 17,1996
40.-41100
Cromarty women host coffee hour
The group enjoyed a
speaker from the Aus-
able Bayfield Authority.
Roberta Templeman
Sto o correspondent
STAI*A - The Marian Ritchie
W.M.S. of Cromarty Presbyterian
Church held their annual potluck
dinner and service on Good Friday
with over 25 women sitting down
to u bountiful lunch. Following the
meal, a very meaningful service
was held with Jean Carey leading
in the worship service entitled
'Dazed, Amazed and Praising'. She
was assisted by several members of
the Marian Ritchie W.M.S. Follow-
ing the worship service, Alice Gar-
diner introduced the guest speaker
Gail Smyth, who showed pictures
and told the group about the trip
she and Mary F. Dow had enjoyed
to the Holy Land. They enjoyed a
solo "Jerusalem" sung by Smyth,
accompanied by Dow. Cromarty
women had the Harrington W.M.S.
women as their guests for the din-
ner and afternoon. The two groups,
Harrington and Cromarty are
twinned for the coming two years.
A joint Good Friday service was
held at Hibbert United Church on
April 5, with Pastor Irene Richard-
son giving the call to worship and
members from both congregations
participating in the scripture read-
ings. Rev. Kevin Steeper gave the
sermon and music was presented
by a joint choir from Hibbert and
Cromarty, accompanied by Gwen
Christie on the organ. A social time
in Daynard Hall followed the ser-
vice.
The Cromarty Church women
hosted their first "coffee hour" in
the church basement on Tuesday,
April 9 at 10 a.m. There were over
30 women and two gentlemen
present. The guest speaker was
Kate Monk from the Ausabte Bay-
field Conservation Authority. She
showed slides and spoke on "Birds
in your backyard."
4-H
Staffs N1 4-H club have finished
their latest project entitled "A Walk
on the Wild Side" with leaders
Doris Jeffery and Peggy Kerslake.
The club's executive were: Presi-
dent Sasha Wall; Vice president
Meghan Worden; Secretary Kim
McKenzie; Assistant secretary
Jackie Riley; Treasurer Samantha
Waugh and Press reporter Bridget
Norris. Other members were Ben
Allan, Jeff Allan, Amanda Ander-
son, Stacy Burke, Tessa Dill, Car-
rie Harris, Heather Kerslake, Brad
Klaver, Kyle Klaver, Kim McKen-
zie, Jenny McKenzie, Pam Miller,
Bridget Norris, Chris Pennings,
Amanda Pullmann, Jackie Riley,
Curtis Vessie, Josh Visscher, Me-
lissa Wall, Sasha Wall, Meghan
Worden, Sarah Wareing, Samantha
Waugh, and Ashley Wettlaufer.
The group went on some very in-
teresting hikes. During the first
meeting they learned about topi-
graphical maps and how to prepare
a knap-sack with everything you
might need to go on a hiking trip.
At the second meeting they hiked
around the town of Staffa. They
learned first-aid treatment from
guest Linda Pullman at their third
meeting.
At the fourth meeting, the group
hiked to Peggy Kerslake's bush,
just outside Staffa. Afterward they
made a bon -fire and smpres. At the
fifth meeting Mrs. Daynard gave
an interesting talk on wildlife and
different kinds of trees.
Achievement Night was held
April 9 in Daynard Hall with a pot-
luck supper followed by entertain-
ment by club members. They pre-
sented piano solos, duets, step -
dancing and a reading. Kim
McKenzie gave a report of the
club's activities to parents, family
members and Staffa Women's In-
stitute, who were the club spon-
sors,
Personals
Pat, Joanne, Mathew and Kelly
Donovan of Val D'or Quebec, vis-
ited over the Easter weekend with
Joanne's family.
The J. Templeman family all met
at the home of Hank and Nancy
Bertens for Easter Sunday dinner,
Neighbors and friends honored
Marjorie Visscher, bride elect, on
Thursday evening at the township
hall in Staffa, with a shower. Joan
Kerslake chaired the evening, wel-
coming everyone and asking all
present to introduce themselves
and tell when and how they had
met Marjorie.
Roberta Templeman conducted -a
couple of contests and Margaret
Daynard gave some interesting say-
ings from "around the world." Ker-
slake read an address of good wish-
es afterwhich the bride -elect and
her mother Marie were invited to
the front of the hall, where Marjo-
rie was the recipient of many love-
ly and useful gifts. She expressed
her thanks to everyone afterwhich
everyone enjoyed lunch and good
conversation. The evening was
planned by Freda and Joan Ker-
slake and Roberta Templeman.
Eileen Greer, Ormstown, Que-
bec, is visiting for a few days with
John and Roberta Templeman.
Family members joined John and
Marjorie Drake for a Saturday eve-
ning Easter dinner.
Morgan Leigh Flanagan, daugh-
ter of Pat and Joanne Flanagan was
baptized on Easter Sunday at the
St. Columban Church. Following
the baptism, everyone returned to
the home of Pat and Joanne for the
afternoon.
Huron County Agricultural Awareness Committee
It a R
r
Ontario Cattlemen's Association
Huron County Beef Producers
Huron County Beef Herd
Improvement Association
CKNX Radio
CKNX TV
Ron McKay
Hensall Co-op
Huron County Pork Producers
Ontario Pork Producers
Marketing Board
Hensall Calf Club
Beef Information Centre
Dave Linton
Roger & Carol Anne Klingenberg
Veal's Meat Market
Wayne & Marie Scott
Deer Farmers Association
Seaforth Co-op
Pioneer Hi -Bred International
Cook's - Hensall
Donna Corbett
Brad & Trina McBride
Dave Boersma
Rick Branderhorst
Al Heyink
Ontario Chicken Producers
Marketing Board
Carolyn Van Dorp
Bill & Rowena Wallace
Janet & Henry Boot
Tony Van Dorp
McIntosh Poultry Farms
McKinley Hatchery
Ontario Egg Producers Marketing
HES TO
a
Board
Huron County Egg Producers
Lenard Griedanus
Leo Griedanus
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food & Rural Affairs, Clinton
Hensall, Seaforth, Exeter,
Clinton, Kirkton
Agricultural Societies
Agri -Food Network
Clinton Christian School Board
Huron -Perth Separate Board
of Education
Huron County Board of Education
Perth FM. Communication
Seaforth District Community
Centre
Foodland Ontario
Apple Commission of Ontario
Huron County Fruit Growers
Wayne Shapton
Barb Storey
Bruce Quinn - AITC Consultant
Ontario Pork Producers
Marketing Board
Don Dalton
Sharon Flanagan
Yvonne Hogged
Kittie MacGregor
Doug Schroeder
Milton Dietz Ltd.
Vincent Farm Equipment
Harold Coleman
Godfathers Pizza
New Orleans Pizza
Pizza Train
Don Dearing
Ben Ritzona
Gerrit & Gerdien Dykman
Alex Veens
Doug & Jan Easton
Dick Dongall
Greg & Chris Hackett
Nellie Hoogendoorn
Koostra Farms
Perth Huron Veterinary
Association
Tammy Sperling
Ernst Cubelman
Harold Van Aaken
Clarence Denens
Huron County Milk Committee
Andrew McBride
Kevin Delbridge
Seaforth Co-op
Perth -Huron Jersey Club
Huron County Holstein Club
Lenco Dairy Supply
Carol Bowman - Dairy Educator
Dairylane Supplies
Gerald Martene
Walter Bell
Margie Ridder
W.G. Thompson & Sons
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture
Harwood Holsteins
Lorraine Franken
We thank the Huron County Women's Institute for preparing the
noon meals for our volunteers. Supplies were donated by:
Visscher Farms
Mcraggart's Food Market
Nabisco, Exeter
Seip's Valu -Mart
Holtzman's 'GA
Hayter Turkey
Seaforth Creamery
Quality Produce
Darling's
Huron County Beef Producers
W. G. Thompson & Sons
Huron County Women's Institute
Schneiders - Kitchener
Apple Growers - Huron
Egg Producers - Huron
Hutton Farm Supplies
Metzger Meats - Hensall
Thank you to those who attended our Thursday night Open House/
Family Night and for the food items you donated. Items donated
went to Seaforth Food Bank.
THANKS TO ALL VOLUNTEERS
Chairman: Deb Campbell
4