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Orono Weekly Tunes, Wednesday, April 2,2003 - 12 Highlights from the 2003 Budget Ontario's new budget meets Durham Riding's priorities priorities for healthcare, education, and a strong economy. Since 1995, Ontario has gained over one million net new jobs. Because we have a powerful economy and five consecutive balanced budgets, we are better better able to invest in the key priorities such as health and education. This is a budget that also helps Ontario's seniors. Every senior homeowner or tenant will receive a tax credit to reimburse the residential education education tax they pay. That's an average of $475 for 945,000 seniors' households. Family caregivers and the disabled will receive an increase in their annual tax credit of approximately $300. The budget continues our action to lower taxes for businesses businesses and individuals. For a typical two-earner family of four making $60,000 per year, Ontario's personal income tax cuts mean a tax reduction of over $2,100 this year, rising to more than $2,500 next year. In fact, over 700,000 low income Ontarians will pay no provincial income tax. Our government remains on track to reduce the small business tax rate to four per cent in 2005. More than 125,000 businesses will benefit from this lower rate when complete. The budget measures will require approval in the Ontario Legislature when we reconvene April 30th. A few other highlights from the budget are: • Spending $ 1.9 billion more on health, bringing the total budget to $28.1 billion. That's up $10.5 billion from 1995. There is additional additional funding for mental health initiatives. • By 2005-06, multi-year Staying in Touch MPP John O'Toole base funding for school boards will be 14 per cent - or almost $2 billion -- higher than the funding provided in the 2002 budget. • 20,000 new post-secondary student spaces for a total of 135,000 new spaces. • multi-year base funding for school boards, hospitals, colleges and universities • Development of a new GTA Bus Rapid transit to better serve commuters from Halton Region to Durham. In these times of global uncertainty, Ontario needs growth in jobs and a strong economy. Our budget delivers on both of these objectives. However, the budget is only the beginning. Now we must follow through on implementing implementing each of the initiatives in this new financial blueprint for our next fiscal year. Further information on the 2003 budget is available from our Constituency Office. We have copies of the budget available on request. Please call: 1-800-661-2433/ or 905 697-1501. The budget and highlights can also be viewed at the provincial government's web site located at www.gov.on.ca/FIN. As always, your questions and comments are appreciated. appreciated. SARS Information Line Everyone is understandably understandably concerned about our risk from SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.) The Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care has quickly responded, and we will continue continue to do whatever it takes to control and prevent the spread of this illness. Further information information is available from 1- 888-668-4636. Those who may be concerned over possible possible symptoms related to SARS are encouraged to call the toll- free Telehealth number at 1- 866-797-0000. The number for our Riding Constituency Office is (toll-free): 1-800- 661-2433 or 905-697-1501. Our thoughts are with the healthcare professionals and members of the public who may be at risk. However, now that we are better aware of the SARS incidents in Ontario and the risk factors, we can take further preventative action. The SARS situation in Ontario changes daily and updates are available in the media. As a precaution, visits to hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Simcoe County will be severely severely restricted. All staff in GTA and Simcoe County Emergency Departments and clinics will be required to wear protective clothing and other precautions at local hospitals hospitals have been announced. Province Provides Help in Reading and Math Education Minister Elizabeth Elizabeth Witmer has announced the next step in Ontario's plan to ensure every student achieves his or her potential. Nobody should be left behind, whether they plan to attend college, university, or enter the work place. The Graduate in Ontario by Achieving Literacy Standards (GOALS) strategy announced last week will assist those students who need extra help in math and reading. The $50 million investment in the GOALS strategy directly directly responds to recommendations recommendations of the report of the Education Equality Task Force, released in December . 2002 by Dr. Mordechai Rozanski. The $50 million investment investment will: * provide stu- dents-at-risk leaders to work with Grade 7 to 12 teachers and administrators to implement implement improved teaching methods methods for students in literacy and math across the curriculum, provide learning resources and ensure the sharing of best practices; • enhance workplace preparation preparation programs and ensure better pathways for the transition transition from school to the workplace. workplace. There will also be remedial programs and more flexible school timetables to help students achieve their goals. In 2002-03, school boards are receiving $500 million to support students who need additional help, including funds for Grade 7 to 10 Literacy and Math programs. School boards will have to report back to the Ministry of Education on how they spent the money received to help students at risk. Hunting/ Fishing Books: Our Durham Riding Office has the new Ontario Guides for hunting and fishing regulations. regulations. Please call 1-800-661- 2433 or (905) 697-1501 if you would like a copy. Community Care News By Isabelle Challice A beautiful day, March 26th, brought out a "full house" of Seniour Citizens to the Orono Church Hall. The lovely flowers adorning the tables added to the spring-like atmosphere. The delicious dinner menu consisted of ham, scalloped potatoes, peas, carrots and salad, rolls, tea biscuits, and cherry cheesecake. cheesecake. Mrs. Dini Schoenmaker welcomed the crowd, and thanked the U.C.W. "Ladies Time Out" and with a hearty round of applause from the audience! We enjoyed another excellent program of spirited spirited music from the "Happy Troupers" of Bowmanville. We have delightful music song books and derive much enjoyment from activities taking place at Community Care Centres. It was another excellent day out for all in attendance. KAWARTHA PINE RIDGE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD Community Events... Monday. April 7 Orono Food Drive - From 6 to 8 p.m. members of the Orono Guiding and Scouting community will be going door-to-door in Orono collecting non- pensable food items to be donated to the East Clarington Food Bank. Tuesday. April 8th Orono Crown Lands Trust Annual General Meeting - 7 p.m. at Orono Town Hall. Saturday. April 26th Orono Crown Lands Trust requires "Earth Day" Volunteers to plant trees, 9 a.m. 5th Cone cntranacc at the Linton Trail. Hot dogs and beverages provided, all help welcomed. TRANSPORTATION ROUTE SUPERVISOR The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board juris- ■ diction covers an area of over 6,700 square kilometers and includes 100 school sites. The Board has an extensive transportation network of 42 school bus contractors providing daily transportation for approximately approximately 24,000 students, on 500 bus routes. The Transportation Department is currently seeking a Route Supervisor to co-ordinate the daily school bus operation within Peterborough County. Reporting to the Manager of Transportation, the Route Supervisor will supervise the daily operation of the transportation function; administer board transportation policies and procedures; establish school bus routes and administer the delivery of service; review bus routes, stop locations, and implement changes when necessary; maintain changes in computerized computerized transportation system; establish transportation routes for special needs students as required; audit bus routes for safety, accuracy, efficiency efficiency and compliance with contractual obligations; respond to emergencies; respond to inquiries from parents, school staff and bus operators; analyze transportation costs and prepare various transportation reports as required. The successful applicant will have a minimum of two years experience in pupil transportation management, school bus routing and planning. Also experience and knowledge of provincial legislation regarding school purpose purpose vehicles, demonstrated computer skills as well as excellent interpersonal, interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills. A valid Ontario driver's licence is also required. A Police Records Check is required of all individuals hired by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board as a condition of employment. Duties will commence as soon as possible. Compensation commensurate with experience. Qualified applicants interested in this position should apply in writing to the Human Resources Department by 4:30 p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2003. Joanne Wakefield Human Resources Specialist - Support Staff Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board 1994 Fisher Drive, P.O, Box 719 Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7A1 Fax: 705-760-8654 The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We thank all who apply, but advise only applicants to be interviewed will be contacted. Personal information is collected under the Education Act, S. 171(3), c.E.2, and will be used for employment purposes only. Angela Lloyd Dr. Avis E. Glaze Chairperson of the Board Director of Education KAWARTHA PINE RIDGE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD