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Inside Auto........................................................11 Artscene..................................................16 Sports......................................................18 Classified.................................................20 For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. and Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com See inside today's paper for special subscription offer. Full Delivery: Ashley Furniture, Dell Computers, Sport Mart, Ho-Lee Chow, The Bay, Smart Source, BMR Hardware, James Boyd, Home Hardware, Toppers Pizza, The Cash Store, EB Games, Pizza Nova Partial Delivery: Mark's Work Wearhouse, Staples, Toys R Us, Home Depot, Danier Leather, The Shoe Company, Rona Cashway French the focus for new job By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Robbers armed with gun Two youths described as being 16 years old, held up a cigar store Saturday -- armed with a handgun. Halton police are investigating the robbery at Paradise Cigars at 536 Postridge Dr. It was shortly before 4 p.m., when the youths walked into the store. One was carrying a handgun, which he pointed at the female clerk. Police say the second suspect then began to yell at the female employee to open the cash register. She did so and the suspects removed money. On the way out, the suspects helped themselves to cigars. Police brought out their canine unit, but the dog was not able to track the pair of thieves or the stolen cash or cigars. The female clerk was not injured in the robbery. Both suspects were described as, 16 years of age and 5-foot-5. They wore black black pants, black sweaters and both had their face covered with black balaclavas. Anyone with information related to the robbery is asked to call the Oakville Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777, ext. 2215 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). A temporary staff position has been created to develop and oversee a proposed French as a Second Language Advisory Committee at the Halton District School Board. Trustees approved the short-term contract position -- and a budget for the committee -- last week. The ideal job candidate would be a principal with French teaching and administrative experience. The board approved $60,000 in remuneration for a six-month contract. It also okayed $15,000 as anticipated annual committee costs -- expected to primarily be focus groups run by a third-party facilitator. The position and the committee are greatly needed, according to Ruth Peden, associate director. "It is our belief that the establishment of a French as a Second Language Advisory Committee will help provide the future direction of French in our board," said Peden. The job was expected to be advertised right away. Due to the delay of the item's approval (first proposed in January), the $60,000 salary based on a six-month contract may be reduced in a three- or four-month contract ending in June. "Because of the delays, it won't be that ($60,000) much," Peden said. Peden, however, envisions the short-term position will turn into a full-time, salaried job. It is expected to be added to the 2009-10 budget for approval. Due to the board's preference for a principal, the salary would have to be in line with a principal's salary rate, which means it will cost about $120,000 a year, Peden said. "I don't just see this as being a four-month position, but I think we need to prove it," Peden said. Chief among the varied job responsibilities would be co-ordinating and setting up the French as a Second Language Advisory Committee before the end of April. The committee will work with the board to determine a consistent delivery model for French immersion in Halton. Currently, Oakville is the only municipality in Halton with singletrack French immersion schools. The remainder of Halton schools deliver French immersion programming in dual-track centres. Another job responsibility will be working with the committee, as well as school staff, to update the board's core French program. The new hire will also deal with the public regarding French program inquiries. Requests on this topic have increased significantly, Peden said. One reason behind it is the recent consultation process on accommodation issues in Ward 4, where singletrack French immersion school Ecole Forest Trail is bursting at the seams. Much debate has occurred during the consultation about the benefits of single-track versus dual-track French immersion. There was close to an hour's worth of debate among trustees about the need for the board to approve the new short-term position before a detailed job description was developed. Some trustees also questioned the timing as the Ministry of Education's French program 18-month review just started last month. Peden said it is better to have someone in place now so the board is prepared if any new policies come out of the Ministry's review. Some trustees questioned whether a principal should be hired, suggesting the board instead consider someone specialized in policy analysis. Peden said a principal would likely be best suited to the job as it will likely include coaching of teachers in schools. NEW! WATERBOURNE CEILING PAINT Available in any colour for the first time. Splatter resistant & the flattest finish THINK SPRING! Come in for our March Specials & Decor Trends of 2009 the colour experts WALLPAPER It's back and it's hot! We have the Biggest Selection of NEW Patterns in the GTA at our 2575 Dundas St. W. location FRESH START $ All purpose super adherent latex primer. Great for tile, glass, brick, wood, walls etc. 6 OFF 3.78 L. can SAVE LAST YEAR'S PRICING on Benjamin Moore Collection EGGSHELL AND ULTI-MATTE. MSRP is $57.99 The new TAX CREDIT for home renovations INCLUDES PAINT! 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