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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 22, 2012 · 16 By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF School board axes GSA co-ordinator, aboriginal officer school year. Before the vote was cast, Lucy Veerman, superintendent of business services and treasurer, told trustees the budget is compliant with Ministry of Education parameters. Due to increased enrollment, the budget is up 3.9 per cent over the previous year. This new budget cut the contracts of two support staff positions for the school board: the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) co-ordinator and the aboriginal liaison officer. Trustees heard from five delegates asking them to continue the contracts of these two positions. Among the delegates was Nicole Chapman, from Halton Women's Place, who was calling on trustees to keep both positions in the coming school year. Chapman said the root of much bullying that takes place in schools is society's perception of what it means to be a man or a woman. "Those who differ in appearance and attitude from the mediafueled images of masculinity and femininity often face the brunt of society's criticism and intolerance. It is these same gender stereotypes that often lead to violence against women," she said. Furthermore, she added, stereotypes that men need to be tough, cannot cry and must play sports are harmful too. "These same harmful gender stereotypes are part of the puzzle that lead many to believe that being dominant and controlling is part of being a man," she said. "We, at Halton Women's Place, are witness to all sorts of power struggles and intimate partner violence, which unfortunately more often than not results in extremely harmful consequences for women." Chapman said the work of the GSA co-ordinator is important because it helps break these stereotypes and aids Halton's Lesbian/ Gay/Bisexual/ Transgender (LGBT) students in their quest for acceptance and helps the wider population understand the harmful effects of gender stereotypes. Chapman also called on the trustees to keep the aboriginal liaison officer position. "Statistics indicate that aboriginal women and women between the ages of 16 to 24 are at greatest risk to expe- The Halton District School Board will be spending $603 million on operating expenses in the coming school year. Trustees approved the operating budget for the 2012-13 school year at Wednesday's board meeting. The board also approved a $48-million capital budget for the same Keep Cool this Summer Air Conditioner 2 ton 13 seer $ 1,795 SAL E OPA rebates b ava available. ailable. il bl Rebates Carrier Cool Cash Reba ates available. Details. Call for Deta (905) 608-9330 www.brenmar.ca 10 Year Parts & Labour Warranty Available. Call for details. rience gender violence," she said. "Knowing this and acknowledging that the Halton District School Board is committed to every student, I think the board has a responsibility to ensure our most vulnerable populations are protected." Director of Education David Euale told trustees in a presentation that both positions were contract positions. He said the aboriginal co-ordinator position began at the school board in the 2009-10 school year with a partnership with the Halton Catholic District School Board and was continued by the public board last year. The GSA co-ordinator had been at the school board since the 2008-09 school year. In the previous See Halton page 20 Brought to you by the merchants of Bronte Village BIA Free all day family festival: OAKVILLE'S CANADA DAY Sunday July 1, 2012 Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park Inflatables for Kids Safari Science Reptile Show Vendor Village Kinsmen Beer & Burger Garden Special Surprises! Live Music on Two Stages Fireworks at Dusk* *Listen to a LIVE simulcast on 102.9 K-Lite FM Ride the Canada Day School Shule Bus from the Burloak RioCAN Centre For full event lisng and entertainment schedule: www.brontevillage.net/canada-day Facebook: Bronte Events Oakville YouTube: BronteBIAOakville Twier: Bronteevents THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA PARTNERS: They're so adorable when they're having fun. (So are the kids.) At Timbits Soccer, everyone gets into the game. Kids make new friends, and parents have fun cheering them on. Your local Tim Hortons is proud to support over 1,300 boys and girls playing Timbits Soccer in the Oakville community. Better Health. Better Life. 2 012 © Tim Hortons, 2011