The Times Advocate, 2006-07-19, Page 3Wedn: sday, July 19, 2006
Exeter Times–Advocate
3
Hoards struggle to meet class size requirements
By Stew Slat...-
SPECIAL
laterSPECIAL. "1,0 "FFIE TIMES -ADVOCATE
SEAFORTH — For the first time
since pledging to institute a 20 -stu-
dent limit on classroom size between
Kindergarten to Grade 3, the provin-
cial Education Ministry has made
data available to the public tracking
progress towards that goal.
With the online publication of
what's being called a "class -size
tracker," the ministry website
(www. edu. gov. on. ca) chronicles
average per -board and per -school
Primary class sizes since 2003-04.
The website states "all boards are
expected to meet the target of 20 or
fewer students in 90 per cent of
Primary classes by 2007-08."
That's not much more than a year
from now. And although both the
Avon Maitland District School Board
and the Huron -Perth Catholic
District School Board have made sig-
nificant progress towards that goal
over the past three years, recent
2006-07 budget preparation com-
ments reveal contrasting outlooks
for the future, between the two
"coterminous" boards.
At their budget meeting June 27,
Huron -Perth trustees were told the
board almost met its 2006-07 tar-
gets in 2005-06 — and the online
tracker shows 72 per cent of the
board's Primary classes contained
20 or fewer students as of last
October.
"It's not going to take us much to
get down to the government's tar-
get," reassured business superinten-
dent Gerry Muss.
Trustees of the Avon Maitland
board — which, as of last October,
sat at 64 per cent of Primary class-
rooms at 20 students or fewer —
heard a different outlook, however.
"The Primary class size initiative
does not appear to be being funded
at a level that enables us to meet
this year's targets (and next year's)
without finding some of the neces-
sary money elsewhere," states a
memorandum from administrative
staff, provided to the board's
Finance Committee.
The memorandum suggests tack-
ling Primary class sizes gets more
costly the further a board progresses
into the process, yet annual alloca-
tions from the province have not
increased accordingly.
From left, Mike Weersink, head guard Laura Switzer, Erin Robinson and Meredith Hubbard will be keeping
swimmers safe at the Kirkton pool this summer. Public swimming is at the pool every day from 2-4 p.m. and
6:30-8 p.m. as well as adult swimming Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays 6-6:30 p.m and spaces are also still
available from swimming lessons. Call the pool at 229-6522 for more information. (photo/Pat Bolen)
Ors t•'iis games t1 -„ere are
rim.I=1.oppowit erits_ Or->t1y friends -
I v-v
_
1n a non-competitive envi ro n merit kids can truly enjoy
I ear-r-.irlg Flow to play. soccer_ After all, whe rl you do rl't
Iceep score, everybody wins_ That's why your local
Tim Ho rtorns is proud to support the kids who are
playing Ti orbits Soccer in time Exeter community_
Tlie first goal is Iia ring
Take part in_ Muse ,.i m show
Our names are Nicki, Taryrt, Katelyn and Erica. We
are summer students at the Huron County Museum
and Historic Gaol. On Thurs., Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at
the Huron County Museum we are planning a bridal
fashion show as a special student project in conjunc-
tion with the "Here Comes the Bride" exhibit.
This exhibit will feature bridal artifacts already in
the Museum collection. We would like to take this
time to ask Huron County residents for their participa-
tion in our fashion show. We are looking for people to
loan their wedding photos, which will be used in a
slide show, and wedding dresses which may be used
in the fashion show. We are also looking for people to
submit funny wedding stories which may be shared at
this event. We ask that any submissions be brought to
the Huron County Museum at 110 North Street in
Goderich by July 30. All submissions can be picked up
Aug. 3, after the fashion show. Help us bring the past
to life through your memories and keep sakes. If you
have any questions or concerns with regards to this
event contact Taryn McBride or Nicki Darbyson at
519-524-2686 or by e-mail at tmcbride@huroncoun-
ty.ca or ndarbyson@huroncounty.ca
TARYN MCBIUDE, museum assistant
NIcm DAssrsoty, programming assistant
Now's the Time to Fill in Those Empty
Spots in your Flower Beds or t
Start a New One.
.41(;): Distinctive Plants,
7 Hanging Baskets, Planters
NO,W ON SPECIAL!
Check out our Perennials & Nursery Stock
for wonderful colours and shapes.
Orders now taken for Pickling Cucumbers.
Don't forget...Td's Tasty ?bmatoes
Te Em Farm
' 77688 Orchard Lin H.i.1 Bay( icld 482-3020
a sun u..M-son-Sat9-6 CTIER ATING
25 YE: %I S W 2006!
GREENQ/ELO
ETHANOL
GreenField Ethanol invites the residents of
Hensall
to a pre -consultation open house and community
meeting to discuss its proposed ethanol production
facility.
Wednesday, July 19 from 6-8pm
Hensall Arena - Meeting Room
KEEPING JOBS AT HOME IN HURON COUNTY
For more information:
www.hensallethanol.com
GreenField believes it is important to hear from the communities where it operates.
This community meeting is just the first in a series of opportunities for public input.
GreenField will seek the necessary municipal and provincial approvals and will
provide additional opportunities for input.