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r Whitb~ fee? , Pe 23 LI Durham's Catholic high school teachers should get a one per cent salary increase while public elementary school teachers should get a 0.5 per cent salary increase, recommend fact-fin- ders. The 326 high school teachers in the English language section of the Catholic board had pro- posed a salary increase of 4.67 per cent, effective Se tember 1 1992, while the board had offered 0.6 per cent. Te high school teachers, who have applied to the Education Relations Commission for a mediator, have been without a contract since August last year. Fact-finder Calum MacLeod said that the board's salary offer was "insufficient" but probably closer to the final figure than the teachers' position. I think that the teachers recog- nize that their position is a negotiating position but I am not sure if they recognize how little room for movement the board has,» states MacLeod in his report. MacLeod also recommended that the board negotiate a maxi- mum class size for destreamed classes and be prepared to add up to three teachers to the staff complement if required. Grade 9 classes will be des- treamed beginning in September. Meanwhile, Heather Crisp, fact-finder in the dispute bet- ween the Durham Board of Edu- cation and its elementary tea- chers, said that pupil-teacher ratios should remain unchanged in a new agreement. Teachers are proposing lower pupil-teacher ratios, and say class size is their number one priority. "...:it is clear that one reason for the teachers to advocate a lower contractual pupil-teacher ratio and the incorporation of guidelines into the agreement is to maintain current staffing levels and prevent layoffs," says Crisp. The Durham board's 2,400 ele- mentary teachers, without a con- tract since last year, had also proposed a salary increase of 1.6 p er cent, and two paid personal leave days per year, among other items. The board lias been advocating a 'status quo' contract for the 1992-93 school year, citing more limited provincial funding avail- able in the next three years. Crisp, in addition to recom- mending a 0.5 per cent salary increase, suggested one person leave day a year. "Since the board shows no sign of changing its position, the ball is really in the teachers' court," states Crisp in her report on a resolution of the bargaining im- passe. "The teachers can either con- tinue to bargain as they have, escalate the bargaining up to and including economic sanctions, accept the board's offer of the status quo for 1992-93 and im- mediately start the 1993-94 bar- gaining round, or rethink their bargainingstrategy. "Sorne difficult choices will have to be made by the teachers whichever way they decide to go." DURHAM COLLEGE president Gary Polonsky (right) and Trent University president Dr. John Stubbs shake hands.on a deal that will see full-time university programming, delivered by Trent, available at the college starting in September, 1993. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whitby Free Press Education ministry stall ends: equal status granted Faced with litigation, the Ontario Ministry of Education has reversed an earlier decision denying Durham Christian High School authority ta grant diploma credits. The ministry approved two courses in religious studies offered at the grade 9 and 10 levels as applicable towards the completion of the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The settlement ends 12 years of refusal by the ministry to allow Durham Christian High School and seven other high schools, all members of the Ontario Alliance of Christian School, the same right as the Roman Catholic separate schools. Since 1978, Catholic schools have issued two credits for religious studies toward the OSSD. As independent Christian high schools are distinct from the public system in the same way as separate schools, Christian high school officials felt they were equally entitled to issue credits towards the Ontario Ministry diploma. The ministry's policies did not address the Alliance High Schools and,' when asked to consider allowing these credits, officials quoted recent court decisions to limit religion in the public schools. Since no clear policy existed on the matter, seven high school principals proceeded to follow the practice of Catholic schools. The corresponding reaction on the part of ministry officials to terminate the signing authority of the principals led to court action by the alliance for its member schools. The alliance requested approval of its religious studies program on a non-guideline credit status; the restoration of signing authority for principals; and a declaration that ministry policies on education about religion in public schools do not apply to independqnt Christian schools. The sMttlement February grants requests. reached in all three Durham Christian High School provides Christian education for students from Durham Region, Peterborough, Victoria and Northumberland counties. Lucie Rochette ST. CHARLES GARNIER DIANA LE GROULX'S grade 2 class at Col. J.E. Farewell public school poses with 'Georgina the Farewellosaurus,' built in about a week by students, who call themselves 'the dinosaur unit.' Photo by Mark Reesor. Why Free Press J,: Bonjour! Three cheers for March break! (It's not that I'm happy or anything) I know most everybody who attends school is happy to have this time off. Monday, March 8, the co-op class toured Durham College. It was interesting and very infor- mative. Wednesday, March 10, a mass was celebrated at school. Thursday, March 11 was a non-uniform day. Of course, it was a theme day. People had to wear something related to sports, whether it be baseball, hockey swimming, figure skating...i think you get the point. So, people could wear baseball hats or jerseys or something, as long as it was related to sports of some kind. On Thursday, March 11 and Friday, March 12, the graduation committee held bake sales to help raise funds for the rapidly approaching graduation. And now, for the congratula- tions. This is dedicated to those students out there who work hard to do well. It just so happens that this week's congratulations go out to people who have done well in sporting events of some kind. Our hockey team defeated St. Mary's 4-0 in Cobourg last week. Way to go, guys. And a special congratulations to Carl Aube, who piaced fourth in Canada (in Canada!) after judo tournaments in Calgary. Ali right, Carl, you should really be proud! I'd like to say good luck to the members of the Oshawa Generals who attend Garnier (and those who don't). The playoffs are coming up, and we all hope you do well. Best of luck, 11, gotta fly! I have to go and relax now. A 10 prochaine. Sylvan Learnng - Centre •Hoost your hild grad(es. * Build1 self-esteem. * Programs iii reading, nath. algebra. uriting. study skills. homewuork sup- port and time nanagemewnt. 1 per cent, 0.5 per cent pay raises recommended for teachers 1