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5 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 13, 2009 Public school board sets dates for budget consultation meetings By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Halton District School Board has set the dates for four public meetings, where board staff will ask parents and community members for suggestions on how to solve the funding woes for the 2009-10 budget. The current draft of the budget shows an approximately $2.5 million funding shortage from the Ministry of Education. Everyone is welcome to take part in the discussions, according to Steven Parfeniuk, superintendent of business services with the public school board. "We encourage anyone to come from the community," he said. "The more people that come to help us understand what the needs are, the better." Meetings are set for: · Tuesday, May 19 from 7-9 p.m. at M.M. Robinson High School, 2425 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington. · Thursday, May 21 from 7-9 p.m. at Acton High School, 21 Cedar Rd., Acton. · Thursday, May 28 from 7-9 p.m. at Milton High School, 396 Williams Ave., Milton. · Monday, June 1 from 7-9 p.m. at Abbey Park High School, 1455 Glen Abbey Gate, Oakville. The meetings will start off with a presentation of the 2009-10 budget. This will include details of board expenditures in major categories, such as salaries and benefits, utilities, transportation and strategic plan initiatives. The presentation will also include information on the provincial funding reductions. These reductions are in four areas, including: professional development ($800,000, which includes $200,000 from special education); computer technology ($650,000); textbooks and learning materials ($650,000); and special education ($370,000). Following the presentation, a discussion will take place through focus groups, where participants will be asked to rank the four reductions in order of importance, as well as offer suggestions where money could come from to help make up for these shortfalls. "We're going to ask the community, if we were able to work within our budget to make some reductions in areas so that we could add back some of the cuts the government has imposed, what priority sequence would they like us to add it back," said Parfeniuk. "The second question is, going back to those buckets (budget items like transportation, utilities, etc...), and obviously putting teaching staff aside because we can't cut teachers, where we should look (to take money from) that would have the least impact on students." Details about the current draft of the 200910 budget and the public meetings will be available on the HDSB's website at www.hdsb.ca. introducing the new 2010 FREE SUNROOF ENDS THIS MONTH! $45,495 $549 volvo XC60 bonus offer: with city safety No-charge Lease per month for 48 months Plus tax. (5.9% lease rate) laminated panoramic roof at no extra cost with this introductory offer VOLVO OF OAKVILLE 770 Pacific Road, Oakville Phone: (905) 825-8088 www.volvoofoakville.com *Limited time lease offer available on approved credit to qualified retail customers through Volvo Car Financial Services Canada. Lease offer example based on a 2010 XC60 T6 AWD at 5.90% lease APR and $549/month for 48 months with $5,150 down and $650 security deposit and first month's payment due at lease inception. Taxes, up to $1,995 freight and PDI and up to $75 PPSA are due at lease inception. Total lease obligation $26,352. Taxes, license, insurance and retailer charges are extra. Lease has an 80,000 km allowance ($0.16 per km on excess). Payments and security deposits may vary by choice of extra equipment. Purchase at end of lease for $21,291 plus taxes. All 2010 XC60 vehicles purchased before the offer end date are eligible for a `No-charge' Laminated Panoramic Roof, while supplies last. The $1,800 value of the Laminated Panoramic Roof is applied to reduce the down payment of the 2010 XC60 T6 AWD from $6,950 to $5,150. Front bumper bar, side scuff plates and 19" Alloy wheels are not standard features on the 2010 XC60 T6 AWD. Vehicles may not be exactly as shown. Volvo of Oakville may lease for less. Some terms/conditions apply. Offer subject to availability. Offer ends May 31, 2009. See Volvo of Oakville for full details. City Safety does not work in all situations. Bad weather (i.e. rain, snow, fog, etc.) can cause City Safety to become unavailable. In most cases the driver will receive a message that City Safety is not active. For further details on City Safety visit volvoofoakville.com. 9.1L per 100 kms (HWY)/13.5L per 100 kms (city). Based on 2009 fuel Consumption Guide ratings published by Natural Resources Canada. Transport Canada test methods used. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. ©2009 Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. "Volvo. for life" is a registered trademark used under license by Volvo Cars of Canada Corp. Always remember to wear your seat belt. Visit volvoofoakville.com.