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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-04-07, Page 1Student -teacher ratio togetmorestudy A recommendation to the Huron Board of Education by director of education John Cochrane on the Pupil Teacher Ratio for 1976-77 was referred to the salary committee on motion of vice-chairman Charles Tho- mas. . Thomas said he felt .PTR should be given more study. Cochrane's submission said superintendents had examined proposed class - grade organization in each school and recommended that 313.4 teachers be engaged for grades one to eight. This would be a reduction of 6.6 teachers from the current term. The employment of 313.4 teachers would generate a PTR of 22 to 1. Cochranc's statement said the elementary school enrollment for the fall term would he clown about 303 students. Superintendent Ralph Smith said he has asked all principals not to hire any more teachers. He added, "We have to decide on transfers in order to accom- modate the proposed cutbacks." He was supported by super- intendent Jim Coulter who Clarification Further to a report in the March issue of the News regard- ing a court case involving Lionel Wilder of Zurich, clarification of figures used in Mr. Wilder's case appear necessary. Mr. Wilder was fined $4,000 for not reporting income from 1968 to 1972 and $300 for filing a false income tax return in 1972, by Judge Glenn Hayes of God- erich. Although the figures used in the original report were from Revenue Canada, the News regrets any undue embarrass- ment this misunderstanding may have caused Mr. Wilder. indicated he had two teachers in one school in his area that must be transferred, Cochrane added that all transfers must he made by May 1. On the subject of spending restraints, the board decided to meet on Wednesday, April 21 in an attempt to approYe the 1976-77 budget. Representatives of all munici- palities in Huron will be invited to attend the budget meeting. Chairman Herb Turkheim suggested the mayor or reeve, clerk and finance chairman of each municipality he invited, The trustees decided to prac- tise spending restraints them- selves. Nine indicated they would be attending a Principals and Vice -Principals seminar• in Michigan on May 6. 7 and 8 and they agreed to pay their own expenses. Enrollment in Huron secondary schools for the 1976-77 tern is expected to be 4,620 an increase of 63 students front the present attendance. Cochrane's submission sug- gested the number of teachers remain at 273. This would be made up of 13.2 teachers for special education and 259.8 teachers for other courses. APPROVE FIELD TRIPS Five field trips were approved at Monday's regular .meeting of the board. In supporting the field trips, chairman Herb Turkheim said, "most field trip Hensall The village of Hensall will not participate in the proposed Sports Complex for Exeter, members of the council agreed at their regular meeting on Monday night. After hearing a report front reeve John Baker who applications were in before our budget restraints. In future 1 hope principals will he taking a close look at these trips and they could be cut down considerabiy." Trustee John Elliott questioned the cost to the board of field trips saying, "the reports show about 1600 in costs to the hoard but they do not include supply teachers." Director John Cochrane explained. "the costs are shown under financial arrangements but arc not specified. In the element- ary panel supply teachers receive 142 per day under category one and at the secondal;y level it depends on the salary of the teacher." The field trips approved were: The Goderich District Colleg- iate drama club to participate in the Ontario regional drama festival at Guelph from April 8 to 11: a F.E. Madill secondary school history trip to Ottawa: a Madill school ski trip to Cold- water: a South Huron District High School geography trip to Kentucky and a Hulett Central School science, history and language students trip to Tor- onto. TROPHY PRESENTED - Following their loss to Little Britain in the all -Ontario Peewee finals on Sunday, the Zurich team were present- ed with their trophy for being the runners-up in the provincial comp- etition. Robert Willert, captain of the local squad, is seen here accepting the trophy from a representative of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. News Photo MarIgh dizeo-7/4_ NO. 14 FIRST WITH THE LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1976 20C PER COPY has no funds for Exeter arena attended the'meetingin Exeter last Thursday night, members • of the council were in agreement that they could not lend any fin- ancial support to the project. "1 doli't see how the village of Hensall can possibly commit Second layoff at Bell Aerospace A second layoff of about 20 workers at the Bell Aerospace hovercraft plant near Grand Bend was -put into effect last week. Jini Mills. plant manager, said a similar number 6f employees had been laid off earlier in the year. There arc now only 33 employees at the plant. The layoffs have been caused by --a lack of new contracts. Neg- otiations are continuing with overseas markets but so far nothing definite has been obt- ained. Mr. Mills said the remain- ing staff are working on the seventh Voyageur hovercraft to be constructed at the plant. Mr. Mills also said the comp- any is negotiating with the isl- and ferry service in British Col- umbia regarding the construct- ion of a large commercial hover- craft. He said he clid not anticip- ate rehiring at the Grand Bend plant until 0 new contract is obtained. NEXT TO THE CHAMPIONS - The Zurich Peewees won the runner-up trophy in their all -Ontario finals against Little Britain, and at least had the satisfaction Of being the second best in the province: Back row left to right, David Smith, Jim Willert, Gordon Love, Mark Kirk, John McAllister, Chris Denort Me. Middle row, Dick Bedard, coach, Wayne McKinnon, Jim Adkins, David Erb, Edgar Willert, manager. Front row, Bobby Hay, Robert Willert, Krist Bedard, Pat Cyr, Brian Horner, and Kevin Oke. News Photo themselves to the proposed South Hurc:n Sports Complex," Mr:- Baker told the members of council." "We have •an Arena and Community Centre here which we have to maintain and improve. The reeve explained that the reason he attended the meeting in Exeter was because he felt there was to be a swimming pool built in connection with the Com- plex. He added that it now appears certain this phase of the project will not he undertaken for some time. Mr. Baker concluded his rem- arks by saving that he feels the name of the project should be changed to the Exeter: Sports Complex in view of the fact that other surrounding municipal- ities have their own arenas and community centres to support. He also pointed out that he felt the plans for the new arena are a bit too elaborate, explain- ing that the consultants have live dressing rooms planned with showers in each one. "Poss- ibly one dressing room should have showers. but surely all five of theist don't need this fac- ility," he said. but apartments considered A London planning consultant, Carl Altenbcr•g, stet with the council of the village of Hensall at their• regular meeting Monday night to present them with plans for a large apartment house' project in the south-west section of the municipality. The plans call for two large buildings, each with 36 apartments, three storeys high. The London planner was rep- resenting a London couple, Mr. and Mrs. George Andeifinger, who had previously met with the Hensall council last November to discuss the possibilit, of const- ructing town houses on the •same property.Since then, however, the couple have decided to switch to the apartment house idea. In presenting the plans to council, Mr. .the also brought a request for a building permit. He said construction would begin as soon as the coun- cil approved the permit. Estimat- ed cost of the buildings is $10, 000 per .mit. (continued on page 2) Farmers guests Huron -Middlesex MP Robert McKinley was the guest speaker at Thursday night's dinner meet- ing of the Zurich and District Chamber of Commerce. the meeting was the Chamber's annual "Farmer's Night" and many area farmers attended as guests, Mr. McKinley spoke on his recent trip to Venezuela and an earlier trip to Australia. He showed slides to accompany his address. He stressed that the trip was to more Canadian ex- encouragr. " "PCPnt ports to Venezuela. At Mt,, - Canada imports $1.2 billion front Venezuela but exports only $203 million. Oil accounts for the major portion of imports while exports are mainly machinery and automobiles. Mr. McKinley said he hoped imports to Venezuela would increase, particularly in agricult- ural products. Venezuela's oil industry, Mr. McKinley explained, has recently been nationalized. Previously oil companies had been heavily taxed and as a result they did not complain when the industry was nationalized. The firm's are now operating the nationalized oil wells for the Venezuelan government. Speaking on his recent resigna- tion as Whip of the Progressive Conservative Party, Mr. McKin- ley said he was now able to devote more time to activities in the riding. Mr. McKinley was introduce° by Jack Eckel and thanked by John Paul. Rau. Chamber pre- sident George Haggit chaired the meeting while secretary John Consitt conducted the business.