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C C N A BETTER NEWSPAPERS C O M PETITIO N 2 0 0 0 w w w .o a k ville b e a ve r.co m OAKVILLE UNITED TAXI LTD. Special Airport Rates Mercedes-Benz A Metroland Publication Vol.38 No. 151 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26,2000 Gift Certificates 338-0044 36 Pages 75 Cents (plus GST) V B o a rd x re a d y to sell fiv e s c h o o ls he Halton school board has put five schools up for It ifir §t¥fering three elementary schools and two high schools, all slated for closure in the next five years, to the area Catholic and French school boards. If interested, any of the three boards could take the schools for free. Being offered up are, Oakville's Queen Elizabeth Park and Burlington's General Brock high schools, along with W.E. Breckon, Champlain and Mountain Gardens public schools in Burlington. Although a preliminary staff report suggests the Halton Catholic board is not likely to want any of the schools, board treasurer Joe Birrett says staff will further study the schools over the next month. "At first glance, because of their locations, it doesn't look as if those schools would be useful to the board in solving our accommodation prob lems, because we don't have accom modation problems in those areas," he said. However, staff will be studying whether short-term lease arrange ments Of any of the schools could help the board house students who are currently placed in portables. T Photo by Peter C. McCusker SAFETY SANTA: Children at Pilgrim Wood School on Pilgrim's Way had a special treat Friday when Santa dropped in to take up crosswalk duties. Actually it was Andrea Schroeder who donned the Christmasy gear instead of her regular purple lipstick. Andrea has been a crossing guard almost three years. Brad Weiler of grade 5 makes the safe crossing. (See `Board' page A3) BO XIN G W EEK a hi cs ecent Make Your B ES T 500 Discount any 2 0 0 0or 2 0 0 1model and receive a further DEAL!! NO M ake Your BEST DEAL ^ F IN A N C IN G u pto48 m o n th so nA L L2000 M o d els m and take advantage of our ty e ti' SALES * Excludes Viper, Prowler & P.T. Cruiser LEA SE HOUDAY uclU n k "See your Sales Representative for Details"