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www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MARCH 19, 2003 PAGE 3 A sign of things to come? Textbook funding has local boards optimistic for more cash BY MIKE RUTA Staff Writer CLARINGTON - Local school board officials arc welcoming welcoming Premier Ernie Eves's announcement of $66 million in funding over three years for classroom computers, updated textbooks and other learning materials. A Friday press release stated the new money for Ontario boards is in response to the Education Education Equality Task Force report, report, which in December made recommendations to the Province on education funding. The task force's major proposal proposal called upon the government government to update the outdated benchmark costs used to determine determine how much money school boards need to buy classroom supplies and pay for other necessities. necessities. Task force chairman Mordechai Rozanski estimated it would cost the government $1.08 billion over three years to Bob Allison: Would 'appreciate any funding.' do so. In an appendix to the report, he provided an itemized breakdown, breakdown, including $22 million to update the cost of textbooks and learning materials, $28 million for classroom supplies, $14 million for classroom computers, computers, and $2 million for inschool inschool administration supplies. Local school boards don't yet know how much, if any, of the $66 million they will receive. receive. Still, the money is welcome, welcome, says Bob Allison, the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board's superintendent of finance. "Definitely, we would appreciate appreciate any funding in that area," says Mr. Allison, noting since KPR makes up about two per cent of the Province's student student population; he estimates the board will receive between 1.5 and two per cent of the $66 million. Money, especially for computers, computers, is welcome and necessary^ necessary^ says Mike Langlois, director director of education with the Peterborough Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board. "We have well over 1,000 computers that cannot run the new ministry, or anybody else's, curriculum software," says Mr. Langlois. "I don't know how much money is coming, but anything that will help us with the replenishment replenishment of computer stock is not only welcome, but overdue," overdue," he says. In December, the Province announced $610 million in new education funding, as called for by Mr. Rozanski, for employee contracts, special education and transportation. - tiles by Jennifer Stone Council wants trains to slow down Four Days Only - Thursday March 20h - Sunday March 23rd Our entire in-store stock Simplicity & New Look Patterns Now $1.99 Each Limit 10 per customer SAVE OFF *Our entire regular Priced in stock only HOME DÉCOR DRAPERY FABRIC VV DRAPERY HARDWARE QUILTING BRIDAL BASICS a and h NOTIONS Excluding items already reduced. Sale in effect March 20th - March 23rd, 2003 Spring fashion faSric 2003 Cfioose from our sebection of up to the minute foofcs. Linens, bjinhfe cotton, embroidered fabrics, gauze, suiting, dresszoeights and more! 20% off our regutar price BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer CLARINGTON - Trains carrying dangerous materials are being asked to slow down as they enter Clarington. Currently, trains carrying goods classified as "dangerous" or "special dangerous" are required required to travel at speeds of between between 40 and 55 kilometres per hour from Toronto to Oshawa, but at the Clarington border, are allowed to speed up to just under 100 kilometres per hour. Instead, a motion passed by Municipal council Monday calls for trains to maintain the slower speed upon entering Clarington. But that's not up to Clarington Clarington council to decide, says Canadian National Railway spokesman Ian Thomson. "The regulations and requirements requirements for the movement of trains are regulated by Transport Transport Canada," says Mr. Thomson. Thomson. "The municipality has no jurisdiction at all." Clarington is simply hoping to influence Transport Canada in making a decision to lower the speeds, says Clarington Councillor Don MacArthur. "What we're doing is trying to encourage them to regard our lives and property with the same regard" as communities where speed requirements are lower, says Coun. MacArthur, noting he's hopeful Transport Canada will listen. "I think it will probably carry some weight because they've done it in Mississauga, Toronto, Oshawa and so on," he says. Transport Canada could not provide comment before The Canadian Statesman's deadline. TABRIÇLÆND)) CANADA'S LARGEST FASHION FABRIC DISTRIBUTOR J/ 1801 Dundas St. E. Whitby 721-9152 Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. H.K \Sh MML IN NOMI MORI S 111 Ms M III SOU) \l V I.OXU K PRICK III VN (Il K RM, l I \K ( Il \IN MORI I'RK I. \\ III RI I Ills (OMIM 111IU |'R|( IV. 0< ( l R.N llll \l)\l RIISKI)SWIM,SWII.l. III.OH (Il R KM. I l.\R( HUNMORI I'KK I. 600 Grandview St. S. 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