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The Scugog Citizen invited all Public School Trustee Candidates to answer the following questions regarding some of the current issues in Scugog Township. The questions posed to the candidates are as follows : ' #1. The Board of Education budget this year is about $368 million. Can the board hold the line on the budget over the next three years, reduce It, or increase it? Please elaborate your answer. #2. What Is the most important issue facing the Durham Board of Education in the next three years (excluding budget issues)? #3. Why are you running for this office and what qualities would you bring to the position If elected trustee on November 14th? #4. The provincial government has been mandating new programs for local boards (Junior Kindergarten, for example). Comment on this mandating. Should local boards have more (or less) autonomy from the provincial government? #5. There Is a perception among the general public that violence (verbal, physical, etc.) is on the rise in schools. Do you agree? - How should this issue be handled by the Durham Board? 1) Factors affecting our ability to hold the line are: a) The provincial government - fulfilling their promises on grants, transfer payments and the social contract. They have reneged on promises of transfer payments in the past and a large portion of capital grant money for the mandated Junior Kindergarten programme. b) Our public and staff must be patient and understanding when we have to say no to enhancements to programmes and services ¢) The sotial contract expires in 1996, employees may be looking to recoup losses. d) This region is growing by approximately 1,000 students per year. . 2) a) Accountability of student achievement. b) Providing the opportunities for quality learning and the essentials in a growing region with diminishing funds. c) Public education has to reflect the views and values of the majority of the public and the programmes and services have to meet the needs of all of the students in our care. 3) 1 am running for this position because I believe in quality public education. I believe I have made a difference and want to continue to make a difference for Scugog. | enjoy being in the schools regularly meeting with the students and teachers and seeing the value of the programmes and teaching strategies in place. I enjoy communicating with the parents and the community through participation in parents' ings and through my newspaper column "Yours in Education." My interests and involvements include all issues and aspects of the education system and I give this position my full time commitment 1 believe in: focusing on high student achievement; representing the majority of the community; teaching the basics using a 'variety of strategies to meet the needs of each individual; providing a full education by closer team work with parents and the community. 4) The province continues to mandate more programmes and requirements transferring the cost to local taxpayers Junior Kindergarten is an excellent example of a mandated programme that is funtled at direct expense to the students already in our system. Local Boards of Education should have more autonomy to meet the needs of our own community and region, # 5) Our board is taking a pro-active position: conflict resolution, peer mediation, staff development in violence prevention, parenting programmes, curriculum materials promoting non-violence, community partnerships and liaison with police and support services are currently underway. I have zero-tolerance for acts of violence in our schools, but it is encouraging that Durham statistics say that our schools are still safe and secure environments. DOREEN KENDALL candidate for 1) I believe it will be very difficult to hold the education budget to $368 million over the next 3 years because of the escalating cost of salaries, both academic, office staff and custodial. With the inclusion of Junior Kindergarten and population growth. The only way. that we can hold the line would be cutting vital programs. 2) I believe the most important issue facing the Durham Board in the next three years will be the "end of the Social Contract" I foresee many problems arising that are going to require innovative and creative solutions to the "night mare" that will arise in this province. 3)I am running for the position of school board trustee because I believe I can make a difference. | will take common sense and fiscal responsibility to the Board. I am approachable and will listen to the concerns of all of Scugog. I believe my 32 years involvement in our community and the township have given me an understanding of Scugog and our needs -- I do not believe bigger is better. I will always put Scugog Students First. 4) Many programs mandated by the provincial government should not be applicable to every Board in the province. Some local options should be allowed to meet local needs. I believe School Boards should form the necessary links between parents, school & policies. 5) Violence at any level cannot be condoned or can never be acceptable. I understand that the Durham Board has policies in place. Our students must always feel safe in the environment of their respective schools. Zero tolerance to violence is a must. CAROL SWITZER candidate for » tee Public School Trustee Public School Trustee 1) Fiscal Restraint without sacrificing "core" academic programs is essential; effective education so students acquire employable skills, (read, write, spell correctly and do basic math) and effective management to ensure tax dollars are spent to achieve the above. [ am opposed to any increase in taxes as $368 million should facilitate a quality education. The School Board needs to look at nonsense subjects at the secondary level and lobby to have the 5 year program reduced to 4 years. Our abundance of electives are very costly to the taxpayer and Ontario is the only province that still has a 5 year program. We could save our region $2 million to $3 million per year. Any reductions in the number of teachers required could be managed through attrition. Collaborative planning with the Separate School Board to share costs of busing, purchasing, resources and facilities would save additional tax dollars. Reduce Bureaucracy. 2) To equip our students with employable skills. Not all students will go on to higher education. Not everyone will become doctors and lawyers. Studies show only 26% of Canadi d go to uni , 19% go to community college and a whopping 56% end up in the work force for which they are not prepared. We have phased out Vanier and Harwood now our tech students are caught in an academic university stream. Yet, at the primary level subject-oriented demics is vital; hasis on a ph based reading program, multiplication tables, grammar and the employment of readers to reinforce proper spelling. Children must get it "right" early, as once off-track, problems often become ingrained and self-esteem plummets 3) My strong business sense and experience at Switzer Motors as Office Manager dealing with problems in budgeting, forecasting and cost saving. | have lived and worked in this community for 20 years and have been involved in Social Concerns and Educational Issues for the past 15; addressing the ROYAL COMMISSION ON LEARNING facilitated by the Ministry last year was a highlight. Having three teenagers of my own, I love kids and love to see them succeed. 4) Jr. Kindergarten cost an estimated $24 million. The province put up $10 million, leaving the municipality to bear $14 million at a time when the Board of Ed was experiencing serious cuts in funding. If programs are mandated, the money should follow. Local Boards should have more autonomy from the province. I believe it is an effort to squeeze out middle bureaucracy. 5) Yes, I believe that violence is on the rise in Durham. A Zero-Tolerance for Violence Policy should be imp] d as a pr y measure, communicating a simple but direc message that anti-social behaviour at any level will not be tolerated. All students should feel safe in their environment and disciplinary action should be taken at the point in time of infraction. Perhaps students themselves could initiate a Safe School project, sharing responsibilities as well as rights. Presently two-way radios are in use in 51 of Durham's schools, in collaboration with the Police. All schools should have this advantage. - BOB BROOKS candidate for Public School Trustee 1) There should be no cut backs on special education or special needs students. Close analysis of the budget to try and hold the line on increases (no increase). 2) Special Education for special needs students and violence in the schools. 3) I have had experience as.a teacher at Durham College as well as 30 years in my own business. 4) Local governments should have more autonomy. 5) There is now legislation in place about violence in schools. This must be addressed on an individual basis. NN. 2X STAY IN SCHOOL IID NOION IAN from 1990 to 1993, there were 651.000 fewer jobs for those who dropped out of high school? NC ) STAY IN SCHOOL Did you know...? (NC)---A dropout will: earn approximately $55 a week less during his or her lifetime than a student who graduates from high school ~ A -- Y v STAY IN SCHOOL DID YOU KNOW almost 3 million Canadians have very limited reading skills, while another-4 million have some dif- ficulty with everyday reading tasks" _ NC