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Zurich Citizens News, 1974-04-11, Page 6PAGE 6 ZTJRICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1974 Huron B of E prepare for budget (continued from page 1) should know the answer, with- out having to bother the Board office for that information. Mr. Henderson voiced his concern as to whether all stud- ents were getting their fair share of field trips and Mrs. Mollie Kunder of Seaforth said this was one area she was conc- erned about. Mr. Hill suggested that when the budget report is presented that a report be made on budg- etry allowances for field trips . and that a generalized report be made on the board's ability to keep up with expenditures. Mr. Henderson asked that when the budget is presented Monday that the members be given three days to study it be- fore being asked to vote on it. Mr. Hill said that with a $12 to $12 million budget it was only reasonable to have tin -ie to study it and that a subsequent meeting will be held to vote. In order that the principals may proceed with programme planning and staffing for the 1974-75 school year the Board accepted provisionally a staffing guideline and later when the budget is completed will look at it again on a teacher -pupil ratio. W.D. Kenwell, Superinten- dent, reported enrolment is expected to be down about 228 pupils in Huron, from 7760.5 to 7523.5. He said the average class size is expected to be 29.25 for the next term, comp- ared to 30.18 this term. Kind- ergarten class size is 28 child- ren limit for a teacher. Mr. Henderson asked if the right thing was being done by not limiting class size for grades 1, 2, and 3 to the same number as Kindergarten. Mr. Cochrane said that all would agree that it would be good, but would add teachers. Mr. Kerswell made a rough guess that it would require about ten more teachers which would add $100, 000. to costs. Mr. Cochrane said that teach-, ers will be hired to the limit of the proposal presented at the meeting but that after the bud- get is completed, and funds are available, then hire more. The Board considered a rep- ort made by Chairman E. Cay - ley Hill and D.J. Cochrane, director of Education, follow- ing a visit by them last fall to most of the schools in Huron. They listed ten broad categor- ies that they felt required furth - er study at that time. Detailed reports on these categories were presented verb- ally at the meeting Monday by Superintendents, W.D. Kerswell Ralph Smith, Robert Allen and J.W. Coulter. These reports are to be presented in written form for the beard members at anoth- er meeting as it was felt that it would be fairer to them to make a decision as to whether to accept or reject the reports which were quite lengthy. They were on: 1 Class size- teacher- Pupil ratio. 2. The need for senior Opportunity Falls causing serious injury and often death don't happen just at the plant, they also occur in the home. Falls can be prevented. St. John Ambulance knows how. Do not polish your floors so highly that they be- come slippery and hazardous. Wipe up spills immediately. Keep stairways clear of clutter. Fasten loose floor boards and tiles. Wear shoes or slippers. classes at the Elementary school level. 3. the need for even more concentration in the field of special education. 4. Cur- riculum Development. 5. Bud- getary matters. 6. Professional development. '7. Organization, Evaluation and Accountability. 8. Programs and facilities. 9. Personnel. 10. The public im- age of education. A few highlights from these reports: Mr. Allen said the major request was for keeping children in their own class- rooms with the remedial teach- ers assisting the individual student rather than putting children in Opportunity classes. He said the regular classroom teachers have now become better qualified in the last few years in dealing with these students. Mr. Kenwell report- ed that Dr. Miller of the God- erich Psychiatric Hospital has volunteered to go into any or all the schools to talk with a pupil, teacher or principal. He will give about 20 hours per week if needed. Mr. Coulter outlined how the curriculum is developed. He said the Ministry of Education gives a descriptive course of study- -guidelines only-- and it is up to the local staff to work out details for the teachers to follow. Mrs. J.W. Wallace criticized the lack of guidance from the Ministry, John Broad - foot questioned the amount of local history and the different levels of government taught to the students. J.P. Alexander stressed the importance of students being well grounded in this as he said in the future these are the same people who will be voting. The members were assured by Mr. Coulter that these are taught. Mr. Coulter speakingon the public image of education said this is best done by the teachers in their own areas. "If anyone can tell the public what is going on in education, it is the teacher," he said. A meeting of the school board members and administ- ration with the local news med- ia on April 6 was cited as a good way for the board to give them an opportunity to ask questions. The members of the press were shown through the Administrative Centre at that time. FUNERALS? Are there questions you would like to ask? Most people have ques- tions they would like to ask about funerals, but usually the opportunity to ask those ques- tions does not present itself until funeral service is needed. Why not ask those ques- tions now of any member of the Ontario Funeral Service Association? We find that many of the fears and misunderstandings can be removed or corrected by way of a relaxed conversation. ONTARIO FUNERAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION This Advertisement Presented In The Public Interest By: Bonthron Funeral Home HENSALL Hoffman Funeral Home DASHWOOD Westlake Funeral Home ZURICH OUR GOAL THIS YEAR $8500 Fielir with a cheek -up and a cheque szioucsmots CANCER ow CANCER WELFARE SEREIC IES AMADIAN CANCER SOCIETY EXETER BRANCH SOUTH HURON AREA dIMIMMINEINSINENSIMMIIHMINVISIIEW Door -To -Door Canvass NOW UNDER WAY Continues Through The Week And on April, Watch for the canvassers in Exeter, Zurich, Hensel!, Crediton, Centralia, Dashwood, Grand Bend, Huron Park and the Townships of Stephen, Hay and Usborne.