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The Citizen, 2008-05-22, Page 18There may be a commitment from the provincial government to begin phasing in full-day, every-day pro- gramming for kindergarten-aged children in 2010. And local administrators of the Best Start early learning program may have secured relatively stable support for the Huron and Perth County childcare providers that began offering it when the former federal Liberal government provid- ed start-up funding. But when it comes to planning for either Best Start or every-day kindergarten in new school con- struction, school boards must either ignore the programs or walk on thin ice. “We’re trying to factor in Best Start spaces into proposals where we can,” explained Avon Maitland District School Board education director Geoff Williams, following a regular board meeting in St. Marys on Tuesday, May 13. Within the next month, it’s expected trustees will vote on a pro- posal for a new elementary school adjacent to the town’s newly- expanded Pyramid Recreation Centre. The problem is that Best Start funding does not flow through the Education Ministry, which has pro- vided $4.8 million under its “pro- hibitive to repair” program to replace the town’s two aging ele- mentary facilities. A Best Start program currently operates out of one of those existing schools, but the funding for creating the specialized spaces necessary for pre-school aged children originally flowed through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. In the case of Perth County sites, it’s administered by the City of Stratford’s social services depart- ment. Education Ministry-level calcula- tions for prohibitive to repair fund- ing, meanwhile, don’t include the increased costs for creating special- ized Best Start spaces. At the May 13 meeting, relocated to the Pyramid Centre so trustees could hear from members of the public about the St. Marys proposal, three out of five speakers called on board staff to refine its plan to include Best Start. “Many parents rely on this pro- gram for their four and five year olds,” said parent Sandy Shackleton. “The ministry has underfunded this project and we look to the board to appeal to the ministry” to increase the money it will make available. Likewise, more than one speaker called on the board to include space for all-day, every-day kindergarten in its construction plans. And again, administrators face a dilemma. According to education director Geoff Williams, the commitment made last year by the provincial government states only that every- day programming will be PHASED IN beginning in 2010. Currently, he added, “the Education Ministry is not willing to flow funding based on this commit- ment.” That’s because there’s no timetable for full implementation, and there’s no commitment to place the programs in schools as opposed to daycare centres or other facilities. Williams predicts full-day, every- day programming will initially only be placed in schools or other service providers where adequate facilities exist and are not being used. Schools that are at capacity or don’t have vacant Kindergarten spaces will, he predict, have to wait. And in St. Marys, he adds, that probably means no extra Education Ministry funding for the proposed new school. PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008. Full-day kindergarten on table The terms of reference for an envi- ronmental assessment to include consideration of the Wingham land- fill as a site to receive waste from other Huron County municipalities are broadening. Councillors received an update on the status of waste management planning at the May 7 meeting. It was noted in the report from senior planner Craig Metzger that through discussions with the Wingham land- fill public liaison committee and the Ministry of the Environment a broad range of alternatives needed to be explored. Among these are waste export as well as thermal and other waste reduction technologies. This, as well as some other factors has delayed the drafting of the terms of reference. While Bluewater councillor Jim Fergusson said he had difficulty “getting his head around the the fact we are going to study exporting garbage out of the county”, director of planning Scott Tousaw said it was important. “Case law has said that you shall not scope too narrowly for a long- term solution,” he said. “I believe the Ministry will require export to be on the table. And I’m sure the Wingham neighbours will be happy to see it.” “If the Ministry is looking for broad solutions, I don’t think we’re looking at all the possibilities in the county. We have landfills with years of life yet,” said Fergusson. Tousaw said Fergusson had made a good point and would give it con- sideration in the terms of reference. Asked for a deadline, Tousaw, with some reluctance said he would hope to have the draft terms of refer- ence by the spring. Bluewater councillor Bill Dowson encouraged the county to take a“serious look” at incineration. George Robertson, councillor South Huron, said it would only take four or five of these facilities to take care of the garbage for the whole province. “There is no smell and it works.” Councillor Bernie MacLellan of Huron East noted that he had men- tioned gasification before and has since done research. “There’s a place in Ottawa that will build the plant and if you don’t like it they’ll take it down again. We’ve let a year go by, when I think whoever gets on board first will experience windfalls from this.” Tousaw noted, however, that it’s not that simple. “It’s important for council to understand that you can’t pre-suppose a solution. The Ministry requires terms of reference through an application process, then an envi- ronmental assessment to evaluate options. You can’t say you’re going to do something and get a certificate of approval.” “I don’t think we’ve lost a year but are moving forwarding a methodical process and following the rules of the province.”Soccer for Ghana The staff prevailed in what was a hard-fought soccer match against the students of Brussels Public School last Friday by a score of 2-0. While the outcome could have been better for the students, the real purpose of the game was to raise funds for teacher Karen Gilbert’s Ghana project. Students donated 50 cents for the chance to be on the team and ended up with over $152 towards the project. A rematch has been tentatively scheduled for June when the game will be baseball and the students will look to take back the trophy. (Shawn Loughlin photo) You've got the news The Citizen now offers electronic subscriptions If you have access to the internet you can get the news the same day you do at home, at no extra cost ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD T h e C i t i z e n No more waiting days for delivery: You can access the full edition of The Citizen on the day it’s published No exorbitant postal costs. The same local subscription price of $32.00 applies. Excellent idea for those who live far from home. For more information call: The Citizen 519-523-4792 ZAP! Go on-line to: www.northhuron.on.ca and click on to subscribe today! County broadeningterms of reference By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen By Stew Slater Special to The Citizen It is possible to enjoy healthy outdoor activities while in the sun. In order to reduce your risk of skin cancer,the Canadian Cancer Society recommends that you and your children practice the SunSense Guidelines. SunSense Guidelines SunSense Guidelines For more information call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1 888 939-3333 or take our SunSense quiz at www.cancer.ca.