The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Board of Education candidates say: WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1976, PAGE 15 Pupil-teacher ratios are major concern Pupil-teacher ratios in the primary grades, elimination of expensive "frills" in education, and high pricedadministrators were major topics at forums for the Durham Region Board of Education candidates last week. Candidate John Buchanan stated there should be more emphasisy on the early years of educa'tion and there should be the lowest possible pupil- teacher ratio in the primary grades. He proposed that there should be a return to a core curriculum of subjects, and school and subdivision devel- opmentshoul'd beco-ordinated so as not to lead to over- crowding. Mr. Buchanan also ex- pressed concern that school boards do not lay charges for vandalism, and suggested that vandals should have to work after school to help the janitors. Aline Currier, also stated that she was pleased to see the schools returning to the basics--reading, writing and arithnetic, and advocated a pupil-teacher ratio of 20 to one in the kindergarten to grade 3 instead of over 30 to one. Melvin Pelt stated he want- ed to know where his taxes were going, and questioned why the board of education has to meet in secret so often. Instead of meeting in Oshawa, the board should meet in various parts of the region to get back to the people, he said. Mr. Pelt also advocated a basic core curriculum of English, history, math and science. , Candidate Frank Sugden stated that one trustee had said there is a need to train children how to use their- leisure time, but Mr. Sugden felt there was a greater need to train them to use their productive time so an employ- er would hire them. David Sims told the rate- payers that the education system in general is in disre- pute and should be redefined to equip each child to his ability. He stressed fiscal management, and planning of new school facilities in a time of burgeoning development and declining enrolment. Mr. Sims said he has been a practising lawyer for 12 years, and is president of the Durham Region Law Associa- tion. Jim Spears, a retired teacher and principal with 35 years of teaching exper- ience, said he was concerned about financing and budgets, and wanted to improve educa- tional standards, public participation, and relations between the board and teachers. Candidate Ken Brown told the ratepayers that half their municipal taxes go to education, and 'therefore there is a need to assume a competent administration of educational budgets. Mr. Brown said he has experience in this field for he is a pro- fessional administrator of budgets. He also stated lie would like to establish a better rapport between the parents and the board. Beverly Bicknell, a supply teacher in Whitby, said she started teaching 20 years ago, and for five years was a volunteer teacher with the University Women's Associa- tion, teaching slow learners and emotionally disturbed children. Volunteer teachers, she said, could ease the pupil- teacher ratio problem. Mrs. Bicknell said she was If St. Bernard's School is to be demolished for develop- ment, another facilty will have to be guaranteed, says Chuck Roche, who is running for re-election as a trustee on the Durham Region Roman Catholic Separate School Boa rd. Speaking at election forums last week, Mr. Roche said facilities are a major problem for separate schools and temporary portables have been ised at St. John's School because the ministry of education will not give approval to replace St. Bernard's School. Mr. Roche predîcted St. Bernard's may be reopened next year if enrolment of separate school students continues to increase. Mr. Roche also reported that junior kindergartens are not a financial liability to the school board but he per- sonally did not support them because they were like "baby also a member of the parents' advisory council of Henry Street High School when the semester system was set up. In the question periods, Mr. Speers said the ministry of education in the past five to six years had loosened the guidelines on core curriculum, but is tightening up now and returning to basics. On the subject of "frills", Mrs. Bicknell said a good sitting". Andy Miller, another candidate for separate school board trustee, said the West Lynde area should be polled to find out the number of children that would go to a separate school so the board can try to get an elementary school in that area. "If enrolment justifys it and the ministry approves, we defi- nitelywillbuildthere', replied Mr. Roche. Mr. Miller told the electors that, in changing times, new concepts must be tried but when some have been proven a failure, such as permissive environment and free choice curriculum, they should be dropped. "We should get back to the four R's including .religion", lie said. "With regionalisi, the schools tend to become i mper- sonal and distant from the parents", said Mr. Miller. teacher could substitute for frills such as "expensive audio-visual aids which sit on the shelves". Mrs. Currier suggested costs could be cut by having lower priced administrators at salaries of $ 10,000 instead of $30,000. Mr. Pelt added that the board of education could "cut out the co-ordina- tors. curriculum supervisors "There must be a relationship between parents, teachers and priests'." Mr. Roche said he would promote parentinvolve- ment and volunteer helpers in the schools and stated that lack of communication . is reducing the effectiveness of education. Lou Goverde, the third candidate for the two separate school trustee seats, was not present at either of the two forums held last week. John D'Costa, candidate for the separate school repre- sentative on the Durham Board of Education, said curriculum and communica- tions were the critical issues. He said lie wanted to explain to parents and ratepayers what is going on and informed those present that lie was in the final year of his Master's Degree in curriculum at the University of Toronto. and higher priced help". Mr. Buchanan said pupil- teacher ratios could be more realistically measured if librar- ians were placed in a separate category from teachers. Mr. .-Sims added that in secondary schools a lot of students are "marking time and being withheld from a crowded employmènt marke t. We should look at this", he said. "We are using the school system as a holding tank for underachievers and non-achievers". Mr. Pelt stated tliat the board of education would have to push the ministry of education to act on such matters, while Mr. Speers suggested that parent-student- teacher committees would encourage more parent parti- cipation in these problems. Mr. Buchanan added that ratepayers' groups. can assist the board by putting pressure on the provincial government and could get more response than the school board. He also suggested that the board and council should tell the province they will not allow any development until money is provided for schools. Mr. Sims pointed out, however, that the 80 per cent provincial grant for a school "does not corne till the school is built and the kids are there. All the school board can do is demand the site--not ask the developer to pay for the school". Mrs. Bicknell contended that school boards have to Cont'd on P. 16 VOTE TOM EDWARDS Councillor Centre Ward 4 years Whitby Public School Board 1960-1963 2 years as Vice Chairman Served on Whitby Council- Continuously since Jan. 1, 1964 5 years as Reeve Twice honoured by being acclaimed by his fellow citizens Ensure that Whitby retains a dependable, reliable and experienced voice on Council He-Elect TOM EDWARDS to continue his exemplary service on behaif of the Peôple of Whitby Phone 668-3578 for transportation Chuck Roche wants guarantee for replacing St. Bernard's RE-EL ECTI Jim Gartshore MAYOR A PROVEN RECORD A Proven Straight Foward Responsible Responsive Mayor MAJOR PRIORITIES FOR 1977 - 78 INCLUDE . A continuation of the tight hold on the budget policies of the town. . A continuation and expansion of the Mayors' open door policy. . A continuation of the thrust on Downtown Development increased commercial assessment successfully started in 1976. . A continuation of a proven Strong Voice at Regional Council Vote and Elect Jim Gortshore who has proven as Councillor and Mayor he has the integrityability-and experience to serve again as your Mayor