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Trustees facing tough budget decisions by Bobby Drew, public meetings were held. Trustee, Prior to these meetings, Durham Board of Educati advert in all the regions Trustees are now facing some very tough decisions as we go through the budget process for 1994. Last fall a list of cost reduction options was compiled and distributed. An extensive Teati Andi three staff input meetings and seven (One in each municipality) newspapers. were placed noting dates, times and locations, subject matter and where the information packages on the list of [ budget options were available. tion was sent regular] to the schools by way of principal's bulletins, memos, information publications. The media have been present and John Foote directs Glass Menagerie "With severe limitations in this space", explained ACT-CO adjudicator Ken Albanese, "you have created magic". Mr Albanese was speaking to the cast and crew of Theatre Durham's production of The Glass Menagerie, the great drama by Tennessee Williams, that features the acting talents of Steve Foote, under the direction of his older brother - Johny Theatre Durham is still a relatively new company in the central Ontario region, and had been after Mr. Foote to direct for some time. When he agreed to helm the Glass Menagerie for them over a year ago he was painfully aware of the major problems with the space the company works out of. Essentially an old church, Theatre Durham's intimate theatre offers challenges for the director in making any play work, but more so for the lighting designer, stage designers, and sound technicians. What impressed Mr. Albanses was the fact the group created #0 many magical moments with so little; he particularly liked the lighting design which was created with just nine lights, and was most impressed with have reported at all board and The challenges of this change children from these very meetings. are that this involve ' successful programmes. If all Our local press have children changi ools after these students went back to interviewed us and have written their kindergarten year. It is their home schools we would articles on the budget. I have important to note three things: have serious overcrowding at had a of people ¢ t the decision to put a child in the = some facilities. me who are ble prog still rests with the With this in mind along with about the whole budget process parents; there is still more that the input received at staff and and they dre anxious to voice the required number of hours in public meetings, parents their concerns and suggestions. the Fl p h has * ings etc. and all .of the I am more than happy to listen raid ci dui bir research and reports that I have and take note because this is a two the children are at the same read, I will be supporting the very big part of my decision level of french 1 ability inclusion of transportation of making along with the wealth of information and h that as those that started Fl in accompanies each option. However, there are some members of the public who feel that they have not been made aware of the options that are before the board, and this. concerns me. If anyone has a suggestion for Two other options that are prompting a number of calls are the transportation of Gifted and French Immersion students. The Gifted programme is recognized as a Bpecial Education programme and it is other than what I have described above, please write it down and send it along. I would like to highlight three of the options on the list that are sparking a fair bit of dialogue. The First is an option that was passed by the full board of several aspects of the set. Steve Foote once again earned January 24th. strong for his it In Septemb portrayal of Tom, as did Margeret Hughes, Jan Harvey and Karl Martin. Director John H Foote was praised for his bold choices, actually restructuring many moments of the play that were perhaps dated or out of synch. The Glass Menagerie continues next Friday, February 11, running Saturday 12, and again the following weekend at the Fairport-Dunbarton Church in Pickering. For local information call 985- 0611. | A late] Had a littl Call Scu Out-of Call 9¢ TAXI SERVICE We are now proud to offer Port Perry surrounding Jed [elo le TAXI CARD. too much to drink? Slalela Wel Wor EY al Please don t drink i drive Taxi Service CHARGE PLEASE! Phone now for full details. (OF 12¢ ERE =1e RI Welale] 1580 REACH STREET PORT PERRY 985-9946 | Scucoc areas a relate BTelY eFLY N of 1994 the French Immersion programme will begin in Grade 1 rather than Kindergarten. There are a number of benefits to this and a few challenges to the idea. -Parents will. have more information on which they can base their decision for enrolling their children in the programme. mandatory for the board to provide services for these students. The board has undertaken a system review on the delivery of the gifted programme and it is determined by research that gifted students should spend the majority of their school day with others of similar abilities and interests(ie: gifted classes.) The French Immersion programme is an optional programme that has proven successful since the Durham Board started offering the programme in the mid 80's. Because of it's success, transportation has _ been provided for the last five years. Early and on-going has ined stable, in English language development will provide a good indication of future chances of success in second-language learning. -It allows for the utilization of at approximately 7% of our student population, since 1986. Our current transportation data has indicated that 32% of our French Immersion sfudents would have to be services for special needs in the their home school even if they English language. . opted out of the FI programme. French of dist: information could be presented and distributed to parents during the Kindergarten year. in the northern parts of po region, families may be put in a position of removing their French Immersion and Gifted students for this next school year. As Chair of the Finance and tion Committee I am able to report that We were sful in maki on about one third of our option list at the January Finance Committee meeting. This resulted in reducing a number of positions. We will be continuing on this list at our February 9th and 15th meetings. These meetings are open to the public and are held at 565 Rossland Rd. West in Oshawa in the Board Room on the second floor at 7:00pm. Other options we will be making decisions on over the next few weeks include: Social Workers and School Based Services Counsellors; Reducing the number of Speech Pathologists and Psychometrists; All .day - every other day Kindergarten; reducing or IPE ding for Sci Fairs, Outdoor Education, Extra- curricular sports, professional development; Design Centers vs Family Studies/Design Technology, and more. In fact we are having a good hard look at any service or programme that is not mandated by the provincial government. As always, | am at your service, please give me a call if you have , questions or concerns. Bobbie Drew 985-7183 this week! WE'D LIKE YOUR HELP TO PLAN THE FUTURE OF ° SCUGOG TOWNSHIP The Economic Development Committee Is sending a survey package to Scugog Households. Watch for it Give some thought to how you would like to see our Township grow and develop. Pease fil out the survey carefully and return It promptly. ~~ YOUR OPINION COUNTS! Please share tt 'with us. TOWNSHIP of SCUGOG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMM. \