HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-08, Page 11
NO. 14 121 YEARS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1987
Educator shares knowledge
By David Emslie
There was a full house, at the Clinton
Public School on April 6 when the Federa-
tion of Women Teachers Association
(FWTAO) hosted a public meeting on
primary education. More than 200 parents,
teachers, education trustees and other pro-
fessionals attended.
The main speaker for the evening was the
director of the Early Primary Education
Project of the Ministry of Education, Fran
Poleschuk. Miss Poleschuk is currently on a
province wide tour discussing the problems
of primary education with enterested
groups.
"I will share with you some things I had
the privilege of learning in 38 years as a
teacher and educator," she began.
She discussed a book on toddlers and
noted that in this country where everyone is
equal, toddlers can not drive, drink or at-
tend x -rated movies, they cannot attend col-
lege and they have 100 per cent unemploy-
ment. She used these points to demonstrate
that children can't storm Queen's Park to
demand better education, therefore it is the
adults' task.
While she has worked for so many years
with children, she noted her hobby is still
children watching. "I'm 'always astounded
at their capabilities. Something that always
comes through is children are capable of
much more than we think," she said.
The subject of how to make children
smarter was next touched on. Miss
Poleschuk explained there are several
theories about the development of children's
intellectual skills, but one she believes in is
that a parent should find the most lovable
characteristic of a child and build on it. She
again read from a book to prove this point.
"Only when we see and enjoy children for
what they are, not what we hope they can
be, can we really facilitate their learning,"
she read.
"The period between birth to eight is the
most vigorous developmental stage. At no
stage do children learn as much as they do
at that time," she continued. As an example
of this growth Miss Poleschuk pointed out
that by age four, children have 50 per cent of
their problem solving skills, and they have
gained another 20 per cent by age eight.
Prior to beginning their school career,
children have accomplished much in the
Following her speech at the Federation of Women Teachers' Association public meeting,
held at Clinton Public School on April 6, Fran Poleschuk was approached by many in-
terested parties with questions. She is seen above (left) fielding questions with Huron
WTA President Mary Moffatt. (David Emslie photo)
way of learning. They will usually have an
attitude towards learning, as well as some
learning patterns. Aside from these points a
child will have learned to walk, and talk,
will have developed a personality, and will
have a basic sense of reading and
mathematics.
"All these accomplishments, they did
with you. You did what came naturally, and
gave all the support possible," she told the
gathered teachers, parents and school
board officials.
However, once the child reaches Grade 1
the parents suddenly have expectations, like
a child should be reading by the end of that
grade.
"Some children move at a slower pace,
they are late starters. It is not helping when
the child knows they are not pleasing us,"
Miss Poleschuk explained.
The stage of learning development were
Education costs $44.5
By Shelley McPhee Haist
Huron County taxpayers will face a 6.9 per
cent hike in their contributions to the public
education system in 1987.
The Huron County Board of Education
(HCBE ), at a special meeting in Clinton on
March 30, approved its 1987 budget of
$44.5 -million, an increase of about 9.7 per
cent over last year's budget of $40.8 -million.
To elementary based taxpayers with the
average assessment of $3,110, the budget
will mean that they will pay $284.85 for
education in 1987, up from the 1986 figure of
$261.46. In the secondary panel the average
taxpayer will contribute $205.68 this year, as
compared to $197.33 in 1986.
The school board will be going to the
municipalities in Huron County for more
than $14 -million in 1987. At the elementary
level, Huron municipalities will be asked to
contribute over $8 -million, and the secon-
dary school levy will be $5.9 -million.
In total the 1987 budget for the Huron
County Board of Education adds up to
$44,562,745 and includes special projects
that will total more than $424,000.
Trustees at the two -and -a -half hour
special board meeting dealt with the basic
budget, then considered 21 special project
proposals that were approved in short
order.
The most expensive and top priority item
on the special project list will see a $105,000
expenditure from the elementary panel in
1987 to pay for the replacement costs of the
heating plant at Vanastra Public School.
This proposal represents phase one of a
six year plan to renovate the Vanastra
Public School facility. The initial work will
see hot water boiler system replaced with a
natural gas heating service. No government
grants are available for the work.
Over the next five years, board trustees
will be looking at future special project ex-
penditure proposals for Vanastra Public
School, each estimated to run in the range of
$50,000. Future renovation work will see the
replacement of windows and doors, new
flooring the lighting and upgrading of the
fire alarm system.
In stressing the importance of the heating
system replacement, trustee Tony McQuail
noted that the present system is "burnt
out." He further suggested, "Updating the
heating system will mean a long term
payback in energy savings over the next 20
years."
Another major expenditure this year will
see the replacement of the roof on the 1971
wing of the Seaforth Public School, for a
price of $40,000. This cost will be borne by
the elementary panel.
The proposal for this project noted that
the serious deterioration of the 14,500 square
roof area has meant short term repairs ex-
ceeding $5,000 in 1986. The perennial leak
problems are directly above the school
library and the primary wing. Wet
carpeting takes more than a week todry and
examined in the presentation, beginning
with infants. An infant has a network of
senses, and powerful energy. This is evident
when watching an infant as they use their
whole body when reaching for something,
wiggling their bodies and reaching with
their hands and feet.
"What the child creates is a little world of
objects, the bottle, a familiar face and a
toy," she noted.
The next stage in the growth is that of the
toddler. As toddlers have the mobility not
available to infants, they have many new
areas of discovery. MissPoleschuk stated,
"That child is discovering the potential of a
wonderful body."
At this stage the child also develops the
ability to classify information. From here,
language enters the development, as
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the potential for serious book damage has
been cited. This project is not eligible for
ministry of education funding but is seen by
the board as a major priority in 1987.
Attention will also be given to the removal
of unused fuel tanks at six schools - Central
Huron Secondary School in Clinton,
Goderich District Collegiate Institute, South
Huron District High School in Exeter,
Seaforth District High School, Exeter
Public School and McCurdy Public School.
Costing $50,000 in total, this project is
recommended in response to changes in the
Environmental Assessment Act which re-
quire the removal of unused fuel tanks
formerly required for oil supply to school
heating plants. Negotiations are continuing
with officials from the Ministry of the En-
vironment to minimize costs to the HCBE.
Some $56,700 will be allocated in 1987 to
establish new technological studies pro-
grams in three secondary schools.
At Central Huron Secondary School
(CRSS) in Clinton $30,000 will go towards the
re -development of the existing Family
Studies facility to incorporate multi-year
programming into the technological studies
program at CHSS. This project reflects a
recognition of the importance of food ser-
vices in employment opportunities for
graduates of such programs. A large
number of students have expressed an in-
terest in the proposed program.
The $`30,000 cost of this program will he of-
fset by revenues accumulated from the sale
of the machine shop and technological
equipment from CHSS in 1984 ($36,890) and
through funds from the sale of Part Lot 70, a
portion of residential property formerly
part of the CHSS athletic field ($13,600).
At Seaforth District High School, $21,700
will go towards the development of a multi -
shop technical facility. This will accom-
modate students at all levels of difficulty
and will incorporate components normally
found in several shop areas in larger secon-
dary schools.
At Goderich District Collegiate institute,
$5,000 will be spent to make minor building
changes to allow spaces for instruction in
furniture refinishing and painting and
decorating, and to provide additional spaces
for an expanded auto program. This work
will also complement building changes to
accommodate the senior students with
challenging learning needs formerly located
at Victoria Public School.
Other special projects will see $5,000 used
to support alcohol and drug education pro-
grams; $14,000 for the replacement of the
HCBE courier van, $26,950 for the full com-
puterization of _ financial services at the
HCBE Education Centre and an additional
$30,000 for temporary personnel hirings to
implement the new service.
Also noteworthy is a $15,000 allotment for
late bus proposals, whereby secondary
sehools may apply to the board for funding
td offer limited late bus scheduling as a
million
Subdivision proposal
brought to
By Anne Narejko
CLINTON - A proposal for the town to
enter into a subdivision agreement was
brought to council by Ron Demers and
Eric Christensen on April 6. The proposal,
had the expenses split 58 per cent paid by
the contractors and 42 per cent by the
town.
The location for the subdivision is behind
John Street, on the former Andrew's sub-
division property. In his presentation to
council, Mr. Demers said the subdivision
would consist of four four-plexes with the
remainder of the land used for single fami-
ly dwellings. During the first phase of
plans, 24 lots would be involved.
In determining the percentage split bet-
ween themselves and the town, Mr.
Demers said he selected items for the town
which would not have to be done for two or
three years, except for hydro installation.
If the proposal went through, this would
mean the town would be responsible for
the installation of storm sewers, curbs,
gutters and asphalt. Mr. Demers and Mr.
Christensen would take care of sanitary
sewers, the water main and services and
the roadways, including the gravel.
Mr. Demers also said they will plan to
• start six lots this year if they get the go
ahead soon.
"I think we've gone our limit if we do
this," he said.
Mayor John Balfour told council that in
council
the past, the town has held the develo r r
responsible for 100 per cent cost •_ -he
work.,r
"But Clinton isn't in the luxurious posi-
tion to sit back. I believe we have to com-
promise," he said.
Clerk Marie Jefferson said she tried to
contact other municipalities to see what
type of agreements, if any, they make with
contractors. The only town she could get a
hold of was Seaforth and their officials
said contractors in their town pay 100 per
cent of the costs.
After Mr. Demers and Mr. Christensen
left the council chambers, Mayor Balfour
said he felt the percentage mix was still "a
little high."
"I'd like to see a half way meeting on the
electrical expenses, or some partial
meeting," he said.
Referring to spending municipal money
for a project such as this, Mayor Balfour
reiterated his position, saying, "If we hold
to 100 per cent (cost to the developer),
we're going to discourage construction.
They're very realistic, as much as I hate to
see municipal money used."
Other council members seemed to think
a different type of deal could be made with
Mr. Demers and Mr. Christensen that
would not cost the public money. But since
they had not yet had time to give the mat-
ter indepth thought, no decision was made.
New employee hired
at municipal office
CLINTON - A new junior accounting
clerk has been hired at th'e municipal of-
fice here, replacing Sandra Beisel who
resigned her position in early March.
Janisse Zimmerman will commence work
on April 21.
The town had a total of 31 applicants for
the position. Of that number, Clerk Marie
Jefferson, Deputy Clerk Ken Holmes and
chairman of general government John
Cochrane, selected six to be interviewed.
Council announced the hiring of Mrs.
Zimmerman at their April 6 meeting, at
Which time they set her starting salary at
$15,500 and a probation period of six mon-
ths. After the six months, her salary will
be increased to $16,000.
means to allow students to participate in co -
curricular activities. Another $10,000 will go
to health and safety repair of field and
playground equipment and $8,000 will be us-
ed to support communications and public
relations work.
The special projects included in this
year's budget are part of a detailed report of
estimates. In 1987 the elementary expen-
ditures are expected to run at $2.3,798,215, up
8.9 per cent from the 1986 figure of
$22,052,531.
At the secondary school level, the expen-
ditures for 1987 will be $20,764,530, as com-
pared to $18,576,385 in the year previous for
an increase of 4.2 per cent.
While expenditures in the 1987 budget are
up over previous years, th director of
education Bob Allan said that&his year he is
encouraged by additional financial support
given by the provincial government.
Additional French instruction at the
public school level has meant additional
grant money, amounting to $556,782 which is
some $94,000 more than received in 1986.
Various other monies from the province
amount in total to $15,00L157 in 1987.
At the secondary level, grant money has
been awarded to the HCBE for various
education initiatives, including $72,897 for
the continuing education programs, $15,000
for the Ties to Business and Industry pro-
gram and $39,600 for the Co-op Education. In
total the provincial contribution to the 1987
financial program for the HCBE secondary
schools is $11,865,734.
Mr. Allan said be was encouraged by this
year's budget and the provincial input. He
noted, "The provincial share hasn't quite
kept pace, but they have put up a good
amount of money this year. I'm encouraged
by this."
He -suggested that the additional govern-
ment support could be due in part to the in-
creased enrolment figures within the school
system. Enrolment, on the decline since
1971, rose slightly this year. In 1982 the
figure in the decline per year column read
260.81. This year the figure reads on the
positive side to 10.58.
Additional budget and formula changes
were seen this year in the reclassification of
Roman Catholic students who attend secon-
dary schools in Huron County. In 1987 the
secondary school residential assessment
has dropped $10 million from $99,460,746 in
1986 to $89,685,602. This has meant a
decrease of 9.1 per cent in the municipal
revenue requirement for 1987. The HCBE
will be Feceiving a new revenue, the tax
transfer from theioman Catholic board
assessment for students in Grades 11-13
amounting to $573,787. As well, the Catholic
school board will pay the HCBE $1,829,979 as
tuition fees for the some 120 Catholic
students who are enrolled in Grade 9 and 10
public seednldary schools. This amounted to
$1,095;954 in 1986.
Another stipulation was put into the
agreement, and stated that Mrs. Zimmer-
man should move to town within one year.
Mrs. Zimmerman is presently einplo d in
London and her husband is workin' in
Clinton, therefore, she has expressed a
desire to move to town.
Promotion
Constable Dwight Adams has been pro-
moted from third class constable to second
class constable in the Clinton Police
Department.
Passed Probation
Clerk -Treasurer Marie Jefferson has
passed her six month probation and was
officially given her permanent status dur-
ing the April 6 council meeting.
X2.4 million musuem
contract is awarded
Huron County Council la:,t week award-
ed the contract for the Huron County
Pioneer Museum redevelopment project to
a London firm.
At its regular meeting last Tuesday in
Goderich, council gave its approval to a
museum committee recommendation to
award the contract to Bach -McDougall,
Engineers and Contractors at a price tag
of $2.4 million.
That figure, however, is more than
$200,000 lower than the firms original
tender - the lowest of three submitted - of
$2,606,800.
Following the opening of tenders at a
meeting on March 19, the committee
authorized Project Director Claus Breeds
and Architect Christopher Borgal to meet,
with the lowest bidder to negotiate reduc-
tions in the total tender price. The $2.4
million price is the result.
To meet the new price, a number of
substitutions and deletions were made in
the original tender, some of which could be
put back in at a later date should addi-
tional funding he confirmed prior to com-
pletion of work by the contractor.
Mr. Breede, following council's approval
of the recommendation, had difficulty sup-
pressing his pleasure. "I feel this is a good
day for the county," he said. "A dream ap-
pears to be on the horizon."
Bayfield Reeve Dave .Johnston express-
ed some concerns over the changes in con-
struction materials from those originally
specified. Both Mr. Borgal and the project
director agreed with his observation that
although some of the deleted items could
be re -instated at a later date, some
changes were, however, irreversible.
To the question of why it was decided to
negotiate the adjustments rather than go
through the procedure of re -tendering, Mr.
Breede told council it would be far too
costly.
Mr. Borgal said the county would have
been faced with an increase in construc-/
tion costs of as high as 25 per cent had re
tendering been necessary. In addition,
there would have been extra costs incur-
red in order to redesign the project.
"What you see when you look at this list
Ithe negotiated changes) is the 'nice to
have' items that are being deleted, " he
said. These items have been deleted, he
added, "because we felt we had an obliga-
tion to bring this project in on target."
During the museum committee report,
presented by Goderich Reeve Harry
Worsell, council was told demolition has
already begun to make way for renova-
tions and restoration to the museum.
Mr. Breede said he is confident the con-
tractor will be on the site and ready to pro-
ceed in 10 days.
In other business related to the museum,
Howard Harris of Goderich, Friends of the
Huron County Pioneer Museum president,
appeared °before council to announce a
fund-raising project the group is
undertaking.
Mr. Harris said the project involves
building blocks to be used in the renovation
and restoration work, at a price of $5 each.
The group hopes to raise at least $10,000 for
the museum through the sale, he said,
although the ultimate target is twice that
figure.
he thanked council for its diligence in
giving its attention to what was needed at
the museum.
"Your forethought will go a long way in-
to the future," he said. "Our children and
grandchildren will reap the reward."
CLINTON PUBLIC
HOSPITAL
BUILDING FUND
0