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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-10-13, Page 3Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Exeter Times—Advocate School board protests provincial decision By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE SEAFORTH — Senior staff from the Avon Maitland District School Board spent a good portion of the board's first regular meeting of the 2004-05 school calendar defending their recommendations to first create, and then spend, an approximately $700,000 Special Education reserve fund. Considerable meeting time was also taken by both trustees and staff criticizing the provincial government for what appears to be, effectively, a potentially damag- ing punishment for doing exactly those things. "We're in a critical, critical position," said education superintendent Marie Parsons after joining with director of education Geoff Williams and business superinten- dent Janet Baird -Jackson in explaining to trustees the possible effects of a government decision to seek repay- ment of funds granted by the province for Special Education purposes, but not immediately spent in that fashion. According to Parsons, the decision to create the $700,000 reserve came after a series of snap announcements from the government in the wake of the December 2002 release of a report from the Rozanski Commission about educational funding. One of those announcements immediately released money to sup- port the so-called "Cycle 4" group of students identified as needing Special Education assistance. Up to that point, Parsons explained, school boards across the province had been led to believe Cycle 4 money would not flow until the following year. The Avon Maitland board, along with several others, had already decided to shore up their 2002-03 Special Education budgets with money from other areas of expenditure to allow for full service to Cycle 4 students. As a result, the newly -announced money wasn't necessary in that fiscal year, so it was placed on reserve with an aim of using it for Special Education in subsequent years. And that's exactly what happened last June, when Avon Maitland trustees approved a plan to spend the $700,000 to boost the board's 2004-05 Special Education budget to just under $18.8 million — a level which still demanded the cutting of about $400,000 in Educational Assistant positions. Now, however, according to a memorandum issued by assistant deputy education minister Kevin Kobus on July 28, the existence of this reserve at the 2003-04 fiscal year-end is being construed as "underspending" in Special Education. The memorandum goes on to state the 2004-05 Special Education allocation will be decreased — the term used by the ministry is "repatria- tion" of reserved funds — to reflect this perceived underspending. The memorandum does include about $242,000 in new Special Education funding for the Avon Maitland board, but the elimination of the reserve funds now leaves the board with an approximate $377,000 project- ed deficit for 2004-05. Without any new government ini- tiatives in the coming months, Parsons suggests that Special Education deficit could jump to over $1.1 million by 2005-06. "Right now, I don't know where I would ever find ($1.1 million)," the education superintendent said in response to a question from student trustee Will Petker of Stratford Central Secondary School. According to director of education Williams, the "one silver lining" is that some of the money "repatriated" by the government will go into what's being called an "Effectiveness and Equity Fund" for Special Education, Breast cancer awareness session at Curves EXETER — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In Exeter, Curves for Women joins together with Curves across North America in the llth year of vigilance for women everywhere who struggle through the illness and a celebration for those who recover valiantly from it. The fitness club for women has undertaken a breast cancer awareness month each October for the past three years. This year's scheduled events include everything from a no -cost initiation fee for new members to pyjama workout days. From Oct. 12-18 women who have had a clinical breast examination within the year may join for a $0 initiation fee. Women under the suggested age for breast examination can join for a generous donation to breast cancer charities of their choice. On Oct. 19 Ann Haley, the nurse examiner with the Huron County Health Unit, will be at the Exeter Curves location to answer questions and offer sug- gestions to women about breast cancer and current programs available for Canadian women at risk. Women are encouraged to drop in and visit with Haley between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Her colleague, Donna Butson, the nurse exam- iner from the Goderich hospital, attended the fit- ness club earlier in the month to address similar issues and concerns. There are new emerg- ing programs and up-to- the-minute findings in the area of prevention and wellness. Local merchants have provided donation incen- tives to this month-long celebration of recovery and enlightenment. Darling's Foodland is sup- plying water for the week's events. Donations from visitors and members will be added to the ongoing col- lection generated by staff and members. Village Vines is providing pink carnations for visitors and members. Purchases of these blooms will be Vehicles vandalized EXETER — On Oct. 7 at 11:30 a.m. the OPP was called to BDM Motors on Thames Road in Exeter. The officer discovered someone entered the parking lot of the busi- ness overnight and dam- aged 10 vehicles. Nine trucks and one van were attacked with a key or screwdriver scratching the hoods and side of the vehicles. The damage to the vehicles is estimated between $10,000 and $12,000. Huron OPP is asking for assistance to solve this crime. If you were in the area that night and saw something or if you have heard something about the case contact the Huron OPP office in Exeter or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477(TIPS). Flatbed trailer stolen HURON PARK — On Oct. 7 at 9:15 a.m. the owner of Beyond the Screen Door in the indus- trial park of Huron Park reported the theft of a trailer. A black 14 -foot flatbed car trailer was stolen sometime in the last week from the park- ing lot behind the busi- ness. The trailer had sil- ver fenders, a red hand wrench welded to the tongue and licence plate W29-543. If you can help solve this crime call the OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-8477(TIPS). 4 FALL BULBS...Plant Now for Beautiful Spring Colour! • Garden Mums • PYO or Ready Picked Tomatoes • Pumpkins • Gourds • Squash PERENNIALS and REG NURSERY STOCK...NOW 40% OFF PRICE TeEm Farm 482-3020 ;. 77688 Orchard Line, RR#1 Bayfield 9-6, Closed Tues. CNmmn added to the total. All proceeds will be con- tributed to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Staff at Curves welcome visitors and friends of members to stop in and pick up literature, cele- brate the victory of their survival story or remem- ber family and friends who fought a valiant fight but did not win the war. Each story is a celebra- tion of valour and courage. which will flow back to school boards based on yet -to - be -explained criteria. His confidence in that fund seemed guarded, however, and he offered no rebuttal when Central Huron trustee Shelley Kaastra argued, "we never seem to get as much as what we hope to get. So I wouldn't suggest we count on anything from this Equity Fund." "It does raise the broader issue of whether or not the minister understands the concept of reserves," Williams commented, adding he believes the approach taken by the Avon Maitland board "is, fiscally, very sound." He wondered whether other school board reserve funds could be threatened, and noted that big governments don't use reserves, opting instead for a big flurry of attempts to spend government money at the end of March as bureaucrats seek to insure they receive the same level of funding in subsequent years. "That, I don't think, is a sensible way to operate," Williams argued. Trustees resolved to send a letter to the education ministry about the issue, and are also arranging a meeting with the districts MPPs. Williams noted the Catholic school board in Windsor has sought legal advice on fighting to keep funds it believes to be proper- ty of the board, and both the Ontario Public School Boards Association and the Council of Supervisory Business Officials have expressed displeasure with the province's approach. •••••••••••••••••I••••••• •The Canadian Diabetes Association •• : Presents • The Harvest Hop•• • • : Sat, October 23, 2004 • • • 8:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m. • : Lucan Community Centre • • • • • ••Silent & Live Auctions • • Music by Cabin Fever ••• : Chance to Win A Cruise For Two : Tickets: $20.00 • • Available at Clarke's Variety, Langford Lumber • • Exeter Times Advocate or 227-0044 • •••••••••••••••••••••••• JOIN US... • GPLAND RE -OPENING of our new location! FREE r DRAWS! NO TAXI DOOR PRIZES! STOREWIDE 2 DAYS ONLY... Fri., Oct. 15 9am - 8pm Sat., Oct. 16 9am - 5pm TYLED Fil F 148 The Square, Goderich 524-2374 SEE OFR NEW FALL LINE! 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