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Oroo eedyTimies, Wedniesdlay, Novemiber 12, 199-7 - 7 Rememb rance day service at Cenotaph promised to freeze your local educational taxes for three years. Why is this change so important? Today, we have some students beîng educat- ed at approxirnately !ý900OO0 anrirnually Per Sahi dent, 'while other regions spend alrnost $9,000.00 annually per student. The new funding model will ensure that every student will receive their fair share of resources no matter where they live. Tis provincial con- trol is a problem for some people but I believe that every child should corne first and not be subject to how assess-, ment rlch some boards are compared to other smaller, poorer, mainly rural boards. I will state again that the Durham Public Board does a wonderful job. At the same tirne the Durham Separate Boards gpends approxidmately $600.00 less per student and N/C as well as Victoria County Boards spend less per student. Public education is about students and every child deserves equal access to a quality education. 1 am- pleased that our stu- dents are back in school. At the same time, 1 feel very strongly that political action does not belong in our class- rooms. .Mr. Klaas Schoenmaker Lodge. and the CIBA respec- The parade was well and Mr. Orville Chalhice lay tively on Sunday, November attended. wreaths for the Masonic 9th. Staying in Touch John O'Toole Durhami East MPP As I take to review the days' and weeks' events, I amn struck by the comments made by our veterans and public -figures. Rememrbrance Day reflections at our corn- munity cenotaphs should, cause each and every one of us to stop and pay respect. Over 100, 000 Canadian men and women have given their ives for our freedorn and aur democracy. As 1 looked out on the parades ln Port Perry, Bowmanville and Orono, I was very rnuch impressed by the Girl Guides, Brownies, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Cadets who particlpated along with their leaders. The veterans, along with the Canadian Legion members, bring our communities together to remember those who have given us our won- derful country, Canada. (With freedom, cornes responsibili- ty). We are receiving approxi- mately 90 calîs per day and numerous letters at our con- stituenicy office. Most people are looking for information on Bill 160. Interestingly enough, 1 heard frorn people with a numnber of concemns, for instance school bus oper- ators whio are now receiving no pay, somn-e support staff in some areas, who have had no say and perhaps no pay, and parents wonderîng who L, going to pay their day care. Several OAC students called to explain that their Christmas exarn resuits are important to their post sec- ondary admission. Several taxpayers called to, say they paid their taxes and now expect a refund. During the past two weeks, I have attempted to return many of the calîs personally. I apologize to the many I have not called. The most impor- tant change with Bil 160 is that the province is moving to pay a greater share of educa- tional funding. Cuirrently, approximately 60% of your municipal tax bill goes to sup- port education. Effective in 1998, 50% of your sehool support will now be paid through your provincial taxes. The province has promised a new funding model. Bill 160 will result in the province funding the major part of education. Bill 160 also gives the province the authority to set the funding riles A num- ber of people asked me to explain our new funding model. A panel oif fouir experts. who along wi;th input from across the province, are bringing forward 'ane methoti of funding education equally for each student in the Province of Ontario. The panel members are: * Peter Howarth, Associate Director of Education for the Peel Roman Catholic Separate School Board, * Philip DiFrancesco, a superintendent of operations with the Haniilton-Wentworth Board, * Nora Grev a superinten- dent of finance with the East York Board of Education, * Enid Slack, an economie consultant in public policy research in the area of public finance. She teaches gradu- ate courses in public finance at the University of Toronto. The student based grant frmula is as follows: lst: A foundation grant to provide a base level grant to every student. This will cover the teacher and classroom resources. 2nd: A special purpose grant, which recognizes the different needs of every stu- dent. - - special education will recognize both leamning dis- abilities and physical handi- caps. - - an educational oppor- tunities grant for those stu- dents with special needs or at risk. - - an ESL/FSC (second language) grant for new Canadians. 3rd: A per pupil accommno- dation grant which covers building maintenance, heat- ing, renovation, repair and existing space, as well as new student spaces. 14th: An allocation to rec- ognize school administration, as well as school board administration and out-of- classroom support staff. 5th: A transportation grant. Al industrial and commer- cial taxes will be collected and utilized locally. The province will assume approximately 75% of education funding compared to less than 40% toclay. This important change has been recommended in both the Royal Commission on Leamning, as well as the Fair Tax Commission. The province will set the miii rate across the province and has eWedding Cakes *Cakes for ail Occ asions *Pastries-Donuts-Pies *Bread &Buns &Tea Room Froprietors: Gary & Carol Vreeker 983-9779 Main Street, Orono Closed Sunday & Monday N Northcutt Elliott, ÏiFuneral Homne THOUGHTFULNESS, SERVICE & CONCERN A Famlly Owned Business, Offering:, Traditional Funerai Services Prearranged & Plrepaid Services - Cremation Arrangements Alternatives to Traditional Funerals - Out of Town Shipping Cory Kuipers - President 53 Division Street 623-5668 Bowmanville, Ontario LiC MZ OFF STREET PARKING BALLS RADIO & T.V. REPAIR REPAIRS TO MOST MAKES STEREOS, COLOUR AND B&W T.V.s AND V.C.R.s P.O. Box 27 R.R. 2, Orono, Ont. (905) 983-5721 Urgent Public Meeting BILL 160 Wednesday, November 12, 1997 Newcastle Village Community Centre King and Mili Street, Newcastle, ON at 7:0pan. Parents and School 'Councils wiII outline their Concerns Dick Malowney, Dîrector of Education North umberland-Clari ngton and Peterborough County Boards of Education wiII highhight Bill 160. Plan to attend this most important meeting concerning the future of Education in Ontario. Cali 987-1833 or 987-4262 for more informatiojn.