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Director dubs 'Indian-giver' remark inappropriateBy Tim Whitnellback one per cent of it. he first talked to McMahon about dont think it was meant in any METROLAND WEST MEDIA He also noted the ministry is the remark the next morning, kind of derogatory sense, he GROUPgiving three per cent more for not long after McMahon had spo-added.teaching and non-teaching staff ken to the paper.The ministry of education, The use of the phrase 'Indian salaries in 2011/12, but it will I did hear the comment at though, does take exception to giver' by a Halton Catholic also be taking back $10 million the time. The comment was the term.District School Board superin-of that provincially.entirely inappropriate.... I think If that comment was made, tendent at Tuesday's board meet-He did not retract the inap-I thought at the time I had heard its considered inappropriate, ing was characterized as "entirely propriate remark during the something (inappropriate), but Mike Feenstra, the education inappropriate" by Education course of his presentation or at in the back of your mind you are ministers press secretary, said Director Michael Pautler.any point during the rest of the kind of second-guessing your-on behalf of Minister Leona This is the second time in meeting.self, said Pautler.Dombrowsky.three months that a senior offi-No trustees or board staff I think rather than a lack of According to Websters dic-cial with the Halton Catholic commented on the phrase either, (immediate) response, it was tionary, the term is defined as: District School Board is apolo-although several people around probably that (it) played out for a one that gives something to gizing for uttering words consid-the room appeared surprised, number of people in the room, another and then takes it back or ered to be inappropriate.possibly shocked, by the choice Did I just hear that right?expects an equivalent in return Michael PautlierMcMahon, the business ser-of words.The education director said sometimes taken to be offen-vices/treasurer superintendent, Trustees went into private McMahon expressed his regret to sive.board meeting who mentioned used the phrase at Tuesday session at the end of the meet-him about the remark and indi-McMahons use of the phrase his use of the term.nights board meeting during his ing.cated its possible that McMahon came on the same night the It was an unfortunate utter-discussion on the Grants for When contacted by The will address the issue at a future board passed in second reading ance on my part that I would Student Needs (GSN) provincial Oakville Beaver the next morn-public board meeting.its new equity and inclusivity retract in a heartbeat. The con-funding parameters released last ing, McMahon apologized repeat-At least one locally-elected policy. Thats an issue that has text was that the ministry is giv-week by the Ministry of edly for making the remark.school board trustee has no polarized sides with the debate ing us money on the one hand Education, as boards prepare I felt bad at the time I said it. problem with how McMahon on the sensitive issue of whether and taking it back on the other.their budgets for next year.Im probably dating myself with used the phrase.gay-straight alliance clubs That was a colloquialism that McMahon specifically cited that phrase. Its not politically I didnt take exception to it. should be allowed in Haltons I know is no longer appropriate the ministrys intent to give correct right now.It did not alarm or shock me, Catholic schools.and I wish I could have taken it school boards two per cent more Youre not the first one to said Burlington Wards 4 and 5 The superintendents word back as soon as I said it.funding within the student point it out to me, added trustee John Morrison.choice comes about three months The top administrator at the transportation grant in 2011/12, McMahon, indicating he had I have heard the term since I after the chair of the Halton board, Education Director See Comment page 5but that it was then going to take talked to other people since the was old enough to remember. I Michael Pautler, told theBeaverwww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 8, 2011 4