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8~ Oroo WeeIyTh~s~We.............199 Staying In Touch John O'Toole, MPP Durham East "Education has been in a crisis of confidence", accord- ing ta Jennifer Lewington & Graham Orpwood. In 1993, Lewington & Orpwood pub- lished a book entitled, 'Overdue Assessment'. As early as 1988 some trustees have become reform minded. For the most part, reformers represent the 'outsiders', stu- dents, parents and taxpayers. The demand for reform, start- ed in Windsor, Thunder Bay, Victoria County, York and spread across the province. Since 1990, the Ontario School Board Reform Network had been suggesting that the system is over represented by educrats'. The Reform Network believes that from the top ministry officials down to the teachers the 'insider' are united or bonded in a pro- fessional mold. The general criticism has been that the system is too rigid and unre- sponsive ta the general pub- lic. It was NOT the Minister of Education, John Snobelen who first coined the term cri- sis. The Royal Commission on Learning in Ontario was put in place by the NDP govern- ment. This report calied for, 'comprehensive changes to the provinces educational system'. The report's 167 rec- ommendations were not so much a criticism of the past as it was a recognition of the technological, social, cultural and demographic changes in Ontario. I was surprised by my own research, to find that none of the changes in edu- cation being introduced by this govemment are new. The Ontario College of Teachers, School Board Amalgamation, Parent Advisory Councils, the Accountability and Assessment Testing Office and Secondary School Reform have all been widely dis- cussed over the years. What is new however, is that this government is committed to do something about these recommendations. Ontario spends almost $15 billion educating over 2 mil- lion students, with over 150,000 teachers and count- less other support staff. It is not the amount of money spent outside the classroom on busing, beautiful board offices, administration, con- sultants and conterences must be controlIed. How much duplication can we afford across the 167 school boards? At the same time, I have some problems with fewer and larger boards. Bigger in my mind is less accountable, accessible and affordabile The Sweeny report calls for approximately 87 larger school boardsg Perhaps with fewer boards and truly empowered Parent Advisory Councils at each school, we will be on the right track. Look at our neighbour's in the Christian Schools, and how hard that community works to support their system. There are many lessons to be learned. In England, New Zealand and elsewhere, school based budgets are giv- ing parents and the commu- nity a new more meaningful decision making role. The day of the bake sale or fund rais- ing function of the P.T.A. is about to become a parent, student and community focal point. "Life Long Learning" can also mean other things. Retired professionals, crafts- man, farmers and others need to interact with our young people today. No one had the market cornered on knowledge. Our collective experience is what the system needs, not simply more money. The majority of trustees, teachers and administration are trying their best under difficult circumstances. The system itself is so inflexible to local priorities that it para- lyzes those good people in it. All the partners at the bot- tom, students, parents, trustees, teachers and others in the community must come together. These natural part- ners must leave their tradi- tional political agendas at home. Presently, the govern- ment appears to be focused on centralization with ail the controls, teacher unions often only think of declining mem- bership dues and security, students want a meaningful say in their future and par- ents along with others in the community, cannot afford any more taxes. Meanwhile, assessment rich boards can afford to offer programs like Junior Kindergarten, Adult Learning facilities and all the high technology equipment. Assessment poor boards, (mainly rural) cannot afford to compete. As has been affirmed in the Fair Tax Commission, The Royai Commission on Learning and even the Golden Report (GTA), educational finance must be reviewed. Most believe that the province should pay equi- tably for each student regard- less of where they live. Perhaps the funding should go with the student. On Friday, April 12th, I met with Don Folz, the Director of Education for the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland & Clarington Separate School Board as well as Dick Maloney, the Director of Education for the nd Clarington Northumberlar Board of Education. Along with the boa chairs, Don barBb Willsher Benninger & and other trustCeS, they were encouraging my neighbouring MPP, Doug Galt (MPP for Northumberland) and I to save Clarington from joining with the Durham Board of Education. I explained that all MPPs must report their observations from con- stituents to the Minister of Education by mid May 1996. To that end, I requested their assistance in conducting pub- lic meetings to gather your input. The issue is notjust as simple as "amalgamation". We must examine education from funding to the length of the school yeaf and any sug- gestions you hâve. This is not teachers suggestions you have. This not an exercise in criticism of teachers or boards of education but rather an opportunity to share your cofstructive sug- gestions. The status quo is not an option. Students, kJen Eeuwes, prime Mini§ter of St. Stephen's Segondary High School and craig Vatcher, Prime Minister of Bowmanville High School were my guests on my Rogers Community Cable TV show. Both students asked many questions regarding the fund- ing cut backs. Their highest concerns was with the possi- bility of young teachers being served with layoff notices. They said, that they "want a say in teacher performance evaluation." I explained that students also have a respon- sibility to apply themselves in and out of ciass. Both stu- dents were excellent and have given me a couple of ques- tions to pass on to the Minister of Education. Finally, on Friday April 12th, I met with a terrific assembly of students from most area high schools. The Student Councils and Leah Houston organized the meeting for stu- dents to ask questions. I will pass their questions on to the minister and intend to com- ment in future articles. The students should be proud of their forum. My reaction was one of surprise and optimism. I was impressed by the matu- rity and quality of the ques- tions as well as the overall respect shown for everyone involved. I am confident that we can have an improved system of quality, affordable and accountable education. It must all start with YOU the parent and include students and teachers. I believe every- one from top to bottom in education would agree that we want the best for our chil- drens' future. "Education is not filling a pail, but the lighting of a tire." Th, e Te Orno has it . .all.. Orono Public School News Hi Orono Times readers. This is a news report from the Grades 1 and 2 class. We are learning about plants. We like our work. We planted marigold seeds and they're growing. Some of the seeds didn't grow, so we had to plant more. We put bean seeds on a wet paper towel in a bag. We wanted to experi- ment to see if the bean seed would grow. Some did grow. We measured the stem and the root. We planted some daffodil bulbs and they're growing. Congratulations to our broomball teams for placing lst and 2nd at the ASG Tournament. In our gym class with Mr. Martin we are learning games - King's Court, Dodge Ball and Obstacle course chal- lenges. We saw a play: The Journey to the Second Hand Store. It was funny. There were 3 people and 4 puppets. The puppets were as big as the people. The puppets were controlled by the hands and feet of the people. The people played tricks on each other in the play. The girl got her hand stuck in a fake toaster with bells. The Choir is going ta the festival on April 17th. The Orff Ensemble and Grade Six recorder class are also going. We hope spring weather soon comes. IYB.Y.O.BRV (Be Your Own Boss) Due to overwhelming response, We're Back! HOME BASED BUSINESS SEMINAR "ONE DAY ONLY" HOLIDAY INN, OSHAWA, 401/HARMONY RD. WEDNESDAY APRIL 24, 7:30 pm COME EARLY, SEATING IS LIMITED Would an opportunity to earn a part time or full time income, reduce taxes, and operate a business from your home change your lifestyle? IF YES, Come and hear what professions are saying about the $427 Billion Home-Based Business Industry today. Financial Planner/Tax Consultant: T.B.A. Home-Based Business Consultant & Author of "The Pattern For Success" - Roger Blake For more information call: Nick & Judy Facey (905) 434-5407 or Steve & Anita Millage (905) 987-5685 Home-Based Business Consultants FREE ADMISSION WITH THIS AD Sponsored by Independent Quorum®Distributors PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE CITIZENS BUDGET MEETING SCHEDULE The Council of the Municipality of Clarington will be holding their budget deliberations in accordance with the following schedule: Day Date 1996 Meeting Time Meeting Agenda Friday April 12 Special G.P.A. 9:00 am to Council Deliberations. 3:30 pm Each Department presents details of budget. Monday April 15 Special G.P.A. 9:00 am to Deliberations continued. continued 3:00 pm Library/Museums/ VisualtArts present budgets. Monday April 22 Regular G.P.A. 9:30 am Public opportunity to appear as delegation to speak t budget. Monday April 29 Regular Council 7:00 pn Budget ratification; final opportunity for public delegations on 1996 budget. Each of these meetings is being held in the Council Chambers, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, and is open to the public. Anyone wishing to address the Committee on April 22 or the Council on April 29 s required to contact the Clerk's Department, 623-3379, by 12:00 noon the Wednesday prior to the subject meeting. e , MUNICIPAL TY OF ONTARIO Dates of Publication: Wednesday, April 3, 10 and 17, 1996 Patti L. Barrie, A.M.CX Clerk Municipalify of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, OntarPo LiC 3A6 P.O. 5798