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The Citizen, 1997-02-05, Page 1Finance________I________Sports________I________Special 2 pages of tips and strategies to help you plan for the future See page 6 Bulls behind by 2 after losing heartbreakers to Mount Forest See page 8 Section offers advice and tips on planning a wedding See page 13 The North HuronCitizen Vol. 13 No 5 Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997 70c + 5C gst750 No perfect world for education costs By Janice Becker Citizen staff permanent expenuiture reductions of $1,151,942 for 1997, said Baird- Jackson. "Those reductions will reserves. (A reduction in reserves would have to be approved by the Education Improvement Commit- "If this was a perfect world, the $1 million in reduced expenditures (by the Huron County Board of Education) would go to lowering taxes," said HCBE Superintendent of Business Janet Baird-Jackson. With the structure of school boards about to undergo tremen­ dous change and the funding sys­ tem in upheaval, the HCBE continued deliberation of their own budget for 1997, as Baird-Jackson outlined the savings to date, at the Feb. 3 meeting, as well as pointing out areas for consideration. With the cuts determined by committees, the HCBE attained reduce the budget to $59,651,269." However, with the provincial government's adjustment for prop­ erty tax assessment, changing provincial mill rate and a drop in expenditure ceiling at both the ele­ mentary and secondary level, Baird-Jackson said the 5 1/2 per cent saving would be negated by a six to 10 per cent increase from the province. Money was saved by double bussing, $15,000 and a decrease in capital expenditure, $180,000. Other areas to be considered are supplies and services, program maintenance, capital projects and tee.) "I am afraid for the taxpayers," said Director of Education Paul Carroll, referring to the shift of education funding from property taxes to the province. "I am concerned that municipali­ ties will have to increase residential and farm taxes to cover (download­ ed) costs." In the current system of educa­ tion financing, property taxes in Huron County are about 1/3 lower than the provincial average, said Carroll, in a report presented to the board. With the change to provin- Continued on page 12 Staff and students from several local secondary schools will by searching for answers from the provin­ cial government, over the next five weeks, as a cam­ paign initiated by OSSTF, puts questions on the table (or sign as the case may be). question : funding Rally one With last year's inconsistent weather local snowmobile clubs had no luck tryng to schedule their poker rallies. Conditions were great this year, however, tor the Blyth Snowtravellers’ Poker Rally held on Sunday. A total of 398 hands were sold with 150 sleds taking part. The proceeds from the event will be split between the club and the Blyth Lions to be used towards community betterment. By Janice Becker __________Citizen staff . ■ - ■ ■ ' Teachers are raking action. Secondary School teachers from Huron County will be joining with those from across the province, to question government changes to educa- Uon. At a meeting, Jan. 30, more than 200 local secondary school teachers discussed an action plan to raise public awareness regarding the impact of educational changes. In the coming five weeks, each secondary school in the county (exclud­ ing South Huron Secondary School in Exeter, due to a municipal bylaw) will display signs, questioning Huron MPP Helen Johns and the govern­ ment, on important education issues. The theme of the inquiries will be "The Public Deserves to Know." "We want to get the public involved in the process," said John Clarke, federation officer for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, District 45 (OSSTF). "Members of OSSTF will be writing letters to (Huron MPP Helen) Johns and (Minister of Education John) Snobelen to present the question to them. If answers are received, they will be given to school staff. We want the public to write letters, too." he said The first question is: "What will the government fund as necessary classroom expenditures and how much will they guarantee to invest in Ontario's classrooms?" The question was also taken to Minister of Education John Snobelen, Feb. 3, by OSSTF Provincial President Earl Manners. The public will be regularly informed about why the question was asked and what response was received. The action plan will culminate on Feb. 28, when a school study session for teachers, students, trustees and the general public, will be held. During the session, answers received for the questions, will be discussed. "Student trustees will also be asked to set up assemblies for students and it is hoped there will be teacher-run sessions for the public, in conjunction with the board," said Clarke. During the week of March 3, teachers will focus on their volunteer activities in the school system. MOH hosts outreach days The Ministry of Health will be hosting outreach days at Wingham and District Hospital to allow resi­ dents to replace or register for a health card. The program is designed for new residents of Ontario, those who need to replace lost, stolen or dam­ aged health cards or need a new card because of a change of name. Those wishing to attend the out­ reach program, March 18 or 19, should call Pierrette Blok at 519- 571 -6048 for an appointment. Three original documents are required to obtain a health card. They arc: Canadian citizenship or immigration documents, current document with your name and address and document with your name and signature.