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"WEEKEND SPARPACI 171 - FRIDAY ARAY HH, 1200 3 © Procedural wrangling stalls board again By Rik Davie The Star The Durham District School Board's controver- sial Regulation 6161- which was at the centre of the battle over Harry Potter books - has again stalled board business. The regulation, which sets out the process by which parents can ques- tion materials used in Durham classrooms, was sent for revision after a loophole in it resulted in the Harry Potter series of childrens' books being pulled from Durham class- rooms a year ago. The board sought input from educators and school com- munity councils. The poli- cy document was returned to trustees Monday night for final approval. That didn't happen. Scugog trustee Martin Demmers made a motion to set up an ad hoc com- mittee to review the policy for possible changes in wording before it's accept- ed by the board. Mr. Demmers said he felt a section containing definitions of such matters as electronic learning material should be includ- ed. He said that after reviewing the document, he had "found a number of areas that | have concerns over." Mr. Demmers said that he had compiled a file on his concerns. But when pressed by other trustees for details, he declined to list any. "I am not prepared to Demmers talk off the top of my head here tonight," said Mr. Demmers. "lI would like a committee to look at this." Oshawa trustee Kathleen Hopper said trustees have already had the opportunity for input. "Trustees were asked to participate, and take this now and tear it apart is a slap in the face to the (school community councils) we asked for input." Whitby trustee Doug Ross also called for adop- tion of the policy paper. "If trustees have con- cerns about wording, let's hear them," he said. "If it is true that these concerns will not change the intent of the regulation, then let's iron them out here and now." Uxbridge-Brock trustee Nancy Loraine also asked that Mr. Demmers make any concerns public at the meeting. Scugog student trustee Chris Skinner expressed some -did," Ms Hopper said. "To He's appearing May 30 Fernandez the hyp- notist is returning for a repeat performance at Port Perry High School May 30. The show is a venture of the OAC Business Administration class. At last year's hilarious show, Fernandez chose volunteers from the audience and manipu- lated them into believ- ing they were riding a roller coaster, or that they were guests on the Jerry Springer Show. The students involved in this year's production are Leanne Lavereau, 18; Scott Beath, 18; Erin Auld, 18; .Sarah Jones, 18; Lisa Parsons, 19; and Zach Fis, 17. The hypnotist is being brought back this Hypnotist brings show back to Port Perry year because of the suc- cess of last year's show, which saw about 200 tickets sold. "He got rave reviews at his last performance," said organizer Scott Beath. "The students are still talking about it." The show will be held in the high school gym- nasium, and will begin at 7 pm.. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are on sale for $10, and are available at Everlasting Memories or by contacting the high school at 905-985-7337. You can also purchase tickets at the door for S12. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and the Metro Toronto Zoo. frustration with the ongo- ing debate. "This just seems kind of stupid to me," he said. "I mean, | find it a little dis- heartening. If we have to strike an ad hoc committee to deal with definitions, then I think we have too much time on our hands." Trustees voted 6 to 5 in favour of creating the com- mittee, but before mem- bers could be appointed a motion by trustee Ross for adjournment passed. That 3 Re@ CR or Kids brought an abrupt end to the meeting, leaving sev- eral pieces of business - including a key announce- ment by Education Minister Janet Ecker, and the board's response to the government's throne speech - yet to be dealt with. After the meeting, Mr. Demmers was asked to detail the other areas of concern he has with the regulations governing classroom materials. 20: FRESH@® PRODOCE + dregses + shorlg + lopg + capris + cover-ups + matching mother and daaghter dresses Free gift wrapping and chocolates with any Mother's Day Gift over $25. Sale ends Monday, May 14, 2001 Mr. Demmers at first declined, saying "I have a file on it." The trustee said he had the file with him. But when given time to go over the file and name some other areas of concern, he was unable to do so. "I guess | have forgotten the file," Mr. Demmers told The Star. Some trustees are expressing frustration over what they see as a lack of progress on issues before FRESH @® PRODUCE $D issues, such as the upcom- Free Beach Ball wilh any Fresh Prodace parchagelll (while quantities last) the board, caused largely ' by procedural wrangling. Uxbridge trustee | Loraine was among those | expressing concern | Monday night. ' "I have to say that pro- cedural issues have over- shadowed some important business at the board," she said. "We have to get! the focus away from these types of issues and deal § with some very important § ing budget." BR@C CK' SS BR2CKS LOS Queen Street t. Port Pern D05-985-2521 ON {Oot eB al te Le i Ti ie rk a a -- A Te