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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 23, 2009 - 11 Public school board can't fill two speech pathology positions By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 905-845-3824. Although jobs cuts have become commonplace in the sputtering economy, the Halton District School Board (HDSB) is having trouble filling two full-time, permanent positions. The board's human resources department has posted and reposted advertisements for two speechlanguage pathologists several times on its website, also sending the listings to the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Trustees approved the creation of the two new positions in July 2008 as part of its budget, but these jobs have yet to be filled. There are currently eight fulltime and one part-time speech-language pathologists working in HDSB schools. The request for the two additional full-time positions came so the board could offer more programming, according to Kathy Schaffer, superintendent of education (special education). "It's additional programming for us and speech pathology is considered to be a really vital component of student literacy and children learning, so it is trying to improve the services we are provid- "There's a shortage in the province and even the slightest salary differential can be a barrier sometimes. Both Peel and Toronto seem to be able to work on higher salaries." Kathy Schaffer, HDSB superintendent of education (special education). ing," she said. Speech-language pathologists have a number of different responsibilities in board schools, according to Schaffer. "Our speech-language pathologists work on a consultative basis in our board, as well, they support classes where there is a very clear communication focus," she said. "We have a number of different kinds of communication-focused classes that they work with." Contract workers are currently covering the staffing shortfall. These workers often already have a full-time position, making them unavailable for hire for permanent positions with the board, Schaffer explained. "Right now, some of the work we have had to contract out for because we haven't been able to get a full-time person," said Schaffer. "Sometimes they will (apply), but they're (usually) working for another organization, so they may be full-time workers enjoying that organization, then we contract from that organization to provide services for us." While there have been a small number of applicants and interviews, the jobs remain unfilled said Debbie DeBoer, manager of human resources/payroll at HDSB. She said the board will continue to repost the jobs until they are filled. "We'll just keep posting it," she said. "We could look at different avenues, sometimes they'll (job postings) go out to the colleges, sometimes they'll go out in some of the papers. It's a budgeted and approved position, so if it's vacant, why would we not keep posting until we fill it?" Two reasons HDSB cites for not being able to fill the positions are a major shortage of speech-language pathologists, as well as salary competition, according to Schaffer. "There's a shortage in the province and even the slightest salary differential can be a barrier sometimes," she said. "Both Peel and Toronto seem to be able to work on higher salaries. Our starting salary and Peel's is about the www.volvoofoakville.com SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN SATURDAYS QUALITY INTEGRITY At Closet and Storage Concepts, we don't just sell you a storage cabinet, we provide creative ideas for complete home space management. Our professional designers will assess your needs and design effective custom solutions to give you and your family more living space. With our attention to detail and lifetime warranty, clients are guaranteed quality workmanship and top-ofthe-line materials. So whether you're doing a single closet or your entire home, Closet & Storage Concepts will be there from concept to completion. Phone: (905) 825-8088 VALUE See Province-wide page 14 Quality Custom closet and storage solutions since 1987 LIFETIME WARRANTY Organized ... for piece of mind Closets · Home Offices · Garages · Media Centres 1047 North Service Road East, Oakville CALL (905) 337-2900 CALL 1-888-THE-CLOSET (1-888-843-2567) Supplier of choice for Divine Design with Candice Olson seen on WTN & HGTV For Complimentary In Home Consultation email: info@closetandstorageconcepts.ca www.closetandstorageconcepts.ca 905-845-4009 HEATING · AIR CONDITIONING · FIREPLACES High Efficiency Furnace Receive up to $1,00000 Lennox® Rebate & SAVE up to $1,95000 IN GOVERNMENT GRANTS High Efficiency A/C w w w. a t l a n t i s a i r. c o m Cannot be combined with any other offer.