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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-07-02, Page 3Wednesday, July 2, 2008 Times -Advocate 3 School boards pass '08-'09 budgets By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE HURON -PERTH — With cuts mainly to programs that top administrators describe as "one -time -only initia- tives," a 2008-09 budget balanced at slightly more than $166 million was approved June 24 by trustees of the Avon Maitland District School Board. Counterparts at the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board, meanwhile, met June 23 to approve a balanced budget of approximately $48 4 million, com- pared to last year's $46.5 million "I feel pretty good about it ... We've managed to bal- ance (the budget) without having to go into reserves, which is a good thing because ... we know we may need to go into some of that for St. Marys," commented Avon Maitland education director Geoff Williams. Trustees recently approved the construction of a new Kindergarten -to -Grade 6 school in St. Marys at a pro- jected cost of $7.5 million. The staff report recom- mending that decision described a $65,000 draw -down of board reserves to complete the project, but that's a best -case scenario that will only become reality if the board successfully lobbies the provincial government to provide a further $1.5 million under its "prohibitive to repair" (PTR) program. If PTR support remains the same or is increased only slightly, a further reserve fund draw -down will likely be necessary. According to Williams, the main cuts compared to last year's $161.5 million budget are in items that were funded on a one-time basis by the provincial Education Ministry. Examples include a series of pro- fessional education opportunities that saw teaching staff brought together for centralized sessions. Other than that, according to a report delivered to trustees June 24, "we have balanced without sacrific- ing existing funded programs, and have indeed man- aged to enhance in a couple of places." "We still have our usual pressure points around transportation and trying to maintain school build- ings," the education director commented. But he added some bright spots also emerged during the board's budgetary planning; specifically, secondary school enrolment is actually projected to increase slightly, which will translate into increased provincial funding. Catholic board business superintendent Gerry Thuss also looked to a bright spot in enrolment projections — in his case, despite a one per cent drop in total enrol- ment, there was a boost in Kindergarten registration. "That's a good sign ... It's always hopeful for the future as that rolls through (the grade levels)." And, like the Avon Maitland board, he will also keep a close eye on shifting transportation costs. "We're hoping that what we put in the budget will sustain busing as fuel prices rise," Thuss said. But he's also hoping the provincial Education Ministry exam- ines the situation and compensates boards for Laughters galore at Huron Country Playhouse By Deb Lord TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF GRAND BEND — If you are looking for some great `belly' laughs combined with talented musi- cians and dancers, then make sure you get tickets to Huron Country Playhouse's "Sorry... I'm Canadian" performance. From start to finish, popular performer Neil Aitchison has the crowd howling with laughter not only from his corny jokes but just by watching him perform. His antics make you realize how much fun he is truly having on the stage. Aitchison performing as Const. Archibald F. Inkster merrily takes the audience on a hilarious excursion across Canada. His political satire, one- liner jokes combined with his infectious smile and laughter makes for a very entertaining and stress - relieving evening. Even though some of the jokes have been shared before, Aitchison's delivery makes them seem fresh and as funny as the first time. Const. Inkster's dim-witted nephew, Clifford F. Inkster, played by Frank Parks also gives the audience lots of laughs as he rides his hobby horse around the stage exasperating his illustri- ous uncle. The K-9 Four, comprised of Duncan Cameron, Bobby Prochaska, Mark Stewartson and Danny Williams belt out applicable songs of each province. The very moving `Hallelujah" gospel tune to our own Stompin' Tom's Canadian rendi- tions make the whole musical ensemble a resounding success. The Ballagh Bunch consisting of four siblings from Teeswater demonstrate great tap dancing numbers and bring lots of energy to the stage. The family features Devan, 17, Michael, 15, and Paige, 13, with eight-year-old Matthew and Mom joining later. Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment, conceived and directed "Sorry.. I'm Canadian" and can be proud of his efforts. The music, actors, laughter and tap dancers make the performance run smoothly and the evening Sorry... I'm Canadian — Neil Aitchison as RCMP Const.Archibald F. Inkster shares his witty humour at the Huron Country Playhouse's production of "Sorry... I'm Canadian" until June 12. (photo/submitted) seems to come to an end much too quickly. The performance will make you proud to be Canadian. It will allow you to laugh at our fine country but still send you home with the feeling of 'how lucky' we really are to live in beautiful Canada. "Sorry... I'm Canadian" plays eight shows until July 12. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Huron Country Playhouse box office at 238-6000. POLICE BRIEFS Charges in Grand Bend GRAND BEND — In an attempt to avoid prosecu- tion, a 23 -year-old Cornwall man is alleged to have provided a false name. It is alleged that June 29 at about 12:30 a.m., a bylaw enforcement officer contacted OPP while deal- ing with a non-compliant male on Warwick Avenue in Grand Bend. It was reported the bylaw officer was dealing with a man after he was seen urinating in a public place. When challenged for proper identification, the man is alleged to have provided a false name. Subsequent investigation showed the man was extremely intoxicated and further that he was in pos- session of a small amount of suspected marijuana. When his real name was determined, it was found that he was already charged with criminal offences with specific release conditions. The man faces new charges of public mischief, two charges of failing to comply with court conditions and a charge of possession of a controlled substance. He will appear in Sarnia court Sept. 1. GRAND BEND — A 21 -year-old Mississauga woman faces charges of trespassing and public intoxication after an attempt to steal cash from a tip jar at a Main Street deli. It is alleged that June 28 at about 2 a.m., video sur- veillance revealed that the woman reached into the tip jar on the counter of Little Ginos Deli. Police were nearby and arrested the female. The money stolen was returned. While the officer was dealing with the intoxicated female, she fled on foot only to be arrest- ed moments later by another officer. She was taken to Grand Bend Detachment to "sleep it off," police say. increased costs. "If you look at our board alone, we've gone over the numbers and shown that, when (diesel prices) go up by a cent (per litre), it's an additional $10,000 for us," Thuss added. "Of course, we're not alone among school boards in that situation. We're all caught up in that." The big question mark remains the fmal cost of the single biggest budget item in school board budgets: teaching staff. Teacher remuneration has been included in the 2008-09 budgets according to last year's formula, but that will all change when "provincial frameworks" for board -by -board labour agreements are negotiated between unions and the Education Ministry. Existing three-year deals are set to expire Aug. 30. Williams says all school boards hope the ministry flows adequate funding to cover increased labour costs once those frameworks are signed, but that remains to be determined. Huron -Perth Catholic education director Larry Langan, meanwhile, expressed confidence the provin- cial frameworks will be completed within weeks. He said he's "optimistic" about getting together with the local labour groups early in the fall, and getting the board's next round of collective agreements dealt with prior to his recently -announced retirement on Dec. 31. Catholic board director retiring By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE DUBLIN — The paths of the two publicly funded school boards in Huron and Perth counties converged last week as Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board director of education Larry Langan announced his intention to retire effective Dec. 31, 2008. Less than two months ago, trustees of the "coterminous" Avon Maitland District School Board named their replace- ment — Chuck Reid — for another pending retiree. Geoff Williams, who has been the top Avon Maitland administrator for five years, steps down effective Aug. 30. Langan's announcement means both boards will have new leadership in 2009. "It did come as a bit of a surprise," commented Catholic board chairperson Bernard Murray after a regu- lar meeting of trustees June 23. "Having said that, when you sat down and put the num- bers together, you knew the time was coming when (Langan) would retire. In fact, he could have retired a couple of years ago." Langan moved to the area from London six years ago to accept the Huron -Perth posi- tion. Before that, he served 27 years in London's Catholic system as a teacher, principal and administrator. He continues to teach courses at the University of Western Ontario and has established himself as a provincial leader in the field of special education. Those six years in Huron - Perth have had an effect on him, however. Langan says he will remain a resident of the Bayfield area and contin- ue with the strong record of community involvement that has seen him volunteer with such agencies as the Community Living Association, the United Way and the Children's Aid Society. "It was one of the best deci- sions I made in my life, com- ing to this area," he said in an interview. "I've found the people here to be extremely welcoming and hard-work- ing." Langan also had high praise for the educators and support staff within the board, as well as the board of trustees. "I have never, in these six years, felt that I did not have the full support of the trustees ... and boy, does that ever make the job easi- er." Murray returned the praise, saying Langan "served well the needs of the board to get the best for its students." Interestingly, given their similar career trajectories over the past half decade, both Langan and Williams will meet up again soon in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They'll both be recognized as 2008 winners of annual awards of excellence from their respec- tive professional associations. "It's an opportunity for his peers to recognize his abili- ty," Murray said, when describing the award being received by Langan. Then, reflecting on the fact both Langan and Williams will be up for recognition, he added, "I guess that says a lot for the quality of the individuals that we've had in our two coun- ties." According to Murray, Catholic trustees will meet soon to discuss the process for finding a replacement for Langan. The board chairper- son couldn't say if trustees would look inside the organi- zation, carry out the process of an external search them- selves, or seek the assistance of a human resources agency.