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t W ;. k A 1; Il. J 10 - Orono WeeklyMles, Wednesday, April 1, 1998 ) Stayi'ng In Touch John O'Toole Durham East MPP The new student-focused educational funding model was released last week at Pine Rdge Secondary School in pickering. I was pleased that Our minister of Education, the Hon. David Johnson came to Durham to make this impor- tant announcemen t. As I have stated many times, 1 behieve that we have a good educa- tional system in Durliam, while spending'less than other areas of the province. As we said ail during the debates and demonstrations, we wlll spend whatever it takes to have the best educa- tional system for our stu- dents. i fact, we are not cut- ting educational spending. We wlll spend $14.4 billion in 1998/99 and will provide sta- ble funding over the next three years. Every child regardless of where they live or -what board they attend should be treated equally. The spending is made up of just over $13billion for education and just over $1 billion for the teachers' pension fund obli- gations., I Durliam, we wîll be spending an additional $20 plus million dollars as follows: a the 1997 operating rev- enue for the Durham District Public Board # 13 was: $336,927,048.0 e the 1998/99 operating revenue for District Board # 13 will be $350,608,998-00 e $13,681,950.00 more dollars This increase recognizes the 1997 enrolîment of 58,789 students as well as încreased enroîlmenit of almost 2%. Funding is increased over 6%Y over the next tbree years. e the 1997 operating rev- enue for the Durham District Separate Board #-15 was $ 122,222,946.00 a the 1998/99 operating revenue for District Board #45 will be: $135,0 14,933.00) e $12,791,987.00 more dollars The 1997 enrolîment is 23,463 students and recog- nizes annual growth of 4.5%l. Funding will increase over 17% over the next three years. The Peterborough, Northumberland - & Clarington District Board that serves part of my riding will also recelve almost $10 mil- lion additional dollars as fol- lows:' e the 1997 operating rev- enue for the Peterboroughi, Victoria, Northumberland & Clarmngton Separate District Board #41 was: $62,767, 124.00 e the 1998/99 operating revenue for District Board #41 will be: $69,028,288.00 a $6,26 1,164.00 more dol- lars Board #41 lias a 1997 increases of 3.5% are recog- nized. Funding will increase 17.4% over the next tliree years - the 1997 operatinig rev- enue for the Northumberland Clarington &,Peterboroughi District Public Board #14 was: $232,864, 130.00 - the 1998/99 operating revenue for District Board #14 will be $236,226,633.00 * $3,362,503.00 more dol- lars Board #14 lias a 1997 enrolîment of 39,617 stu- dents. Projected annual enrolîment will- increase 1.34%. Funding will increase 2.7%/ over the next three years. The new Toronto District Board lias been in the press indicating that they will have to close sdliools. It slould be clear that their funding will be less than 1%/ of their cur- rent higli level of funding. Their annual budget is over $2 billion dollars and they will receive a reduction. of $19 million dollars., Our commitment is to every-student to have access' to the same resources regard- less of wliere tley live. There will be clear granting regula- tions that recognize class- room spending. This willl include: classroom teacliers, supply teadliers, -teacher assistants, text books & learning resources, classroom computers, library & guid- ance services, professional & para-professional services (sucli as -psycliologists & speech patliologists) and staff development. Non-classroom spending will be tiglitly controlled. This includes: directors of educa- tion, supervisory officers, principals & vice-principals, department heads, classrooin consultants, support staff, teaclier preparation time, continuing education, school board administration, trustees, transportation and debt charges. Classroom spending will increase by $583 million dollars over the next three years and school board administration will decrease. There is $1 .2 billion to address class sizes of 25 in elementary and 22 in sec- ondary. There is also $385 million to lielp boards make the transition to fewer scliool boards. Furtliermore, the gov- ernment lias set asîde some $250 million in our budget to address early retirement for teacliers. The Ontario Teacliers Federation will have to bring this forward to engage discussions to allow teachers to retire early. Our plan provides for spe- clal education (over $1 bil- lion), adult and continulng education-will continue to be The regular meeting of the Newcastle Lions Club was held on Mardi 26tli, in the Lions Room at the Newcastle Community Hall. Vice President Mike Swaga cliaired the meeting. There were 36 Newcastle Lions present. Also in attendance, four members from Cliemung Lake Lions Club and three from Land of Lakes Lions Club., Regrets were received from Guest Speaker Alex Sheplierd MP wlio was unable to come and speak because -of press- ing commitments at Parliament. After a deliclous dinner of chicken breast and, rice served by the Providence- Shaws Woman's Institute the audience learned more about a long standing Lion,, Howard Quinney in the Wlio's Who portion of the meeting. Howard was born in Providence, a little farmn com- munity nortli east of Bowmanville, and grew rip and got lis education in Bowrnanville. He joined, the Arrny at 17 years of age and was discliarged in 1945. After the war, Howard went to bar- ber scliool and then set up business in Newcastle, in the former Herb Tom's barber sliop until 1960 wlien lie and Kay bouglit the property on King St. E. and built a new building. There,,lie barbered until 1970, wlien lie opened the Stedman's store, whidh lie and Kay operated until tliey sold out in 1989. Tliey, also bouglit and operated the Stedman's Store ini Bowrnanville until 1991. A letter from Susan Medd, principal of Newcastle Public Sdliool, thanked the club for their support of the V.I.P. pro- gram. Another, letter from Lions Homes for Deaf People in Ottawa tlanked the Lions for their support. This home is now in operation, housing ten young men and women wlio are multi-landicapped and the mortgage is payed off. Newcastle Skating Club also thanked the Lions for a dona- tion. Lion John l3ugelli, reported that the Income Tax Clinic on the l4tli was a great success, about 30 people took advan- tage of the service. Ken Douglas of the Land O'Lakes Club, introduced RC Bob Taylor, their cand 'idate for Vice District Govemor. The evening concluded with an impressive induction ce remony headed by MembershiÉp Cliairmian, Dick Lovekin. Two new Lions were inîtiated into the Newcastle Club. Gordon Jilks and Jack McOustra are the latest indi- viduals to join the ranks of the Newcastle Lions. Botli new Lions were sponsored by Lion Warren Tait. 1,& 7t/72 es! funded. Over the next few weeks, I will be meeting witli the scliool board officials and I would be more than willing to attend any scliool community councils meetings to share this information. Please cal if you wisli more details, (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661- 2433. ( ~ Happi2Eato Corne chase the Bunny Saturday morning April i lth!.6 y Easter Egg Hunt * Bake Table Kendal the Clown o Petting Zoo Face Painting* Raffles Easter Bonnet Parade Celeb rate Sp ring- Easter Egg Hunt 10:30 a.m. - Oron o Public Lîbrary - For kids ail ages' Ail other activities in The Town Hall Easter Bonnet judging at noon - Corne out and parade! COME OUT AND SUPPORT... Your local Guiding Units and the Orono Playgroup PRIZES - PRUZES - PRIZES Sponsored b>' the Orono DRUI and T/.e Town Hall Board An . dr , -:::ý 7 N-mý