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a EE -- EN ---- ee i -- --_ Ny A A en ---- ma ee Vol. 127 No. 17 PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 1993 Copy 65¢ ie + aecsn. 36 Pages Education budget should be ready by middle of April By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star The Durham Board Of Educa- tion is wrestling with numbers in hopes of achieving a budget of less than six per cent. According to Scugog Trustee Bobbie Drew, the 1993 school board budget currently stands at 5.99 per cent, but she says thereis still work tobe done. "We're still uncomfortable with 5.99 per cent, but we're at a quandary because there's really nothingelse to cut," she said. Mrs. Drew says the 5.99-per cent increase amounts to ap- proximately $70 per average household in Scugog. For a number of months the trustees have been mulling over recommendations on how to cut costs. An initial list of 40 recom- mendations has since swelled to 52 asthe procedure continued. Among the "proposed budget adjustments" is a five-per cent cut to most budgets, the elimi- nation of four regional adminis- " trators, the decision not to ad- vance with library security maintenance and cutting the transportation bus passes Yor students. A number of teaching posi- tions have been cut as well, but Mrs. Drew says due to attrition and retirement no jobs will be lost. A total of 39.4 teaching po- sitions were cut on the elemen- tary level and 24.6 were dropped at the secondary level. With the expected growth in Durham Region over the next few years, Mrs. Drew says she does not expect any teaching jobs to be lost. It is estimated that 1,600 to 2,000 new stu- dents will enter the school sys- tem per year. "I don't think there's any dan- ger of anybody being out of teaching jobs," she said. Mrs. Drew stressed however that some may be moved to oth- er schools and areas. But with the staff cuts and shifting across the region, it will only add one additional student per class. This will put the stu- dent-teacher ratio at 16.45 to one. There has been some concern during the budget discussions that not all areas were being treated equally and that the ele- mentary and secondary schools were not being treated fairly. But Mrs. Drew says this is not the case. "One of the goals has been that the cuts affect the region equitably. Elementary and sec- ondary schools are being affect- ed the same," she says. She adds that all levels are be- ing affected as well "from ad- ministration to custodial." "Everybody is being hit by thisbudget." Mrs. Drew says the trustees have been faced with tough deci- sions during the budgetary pro- cess to get it to an acceptable level. But reaching an accepta- ble level is something that has not been concrete. "We didn't go in with any pre- conceived target," she said. Mrs. Drew says they'll contin- ue to hammer away until they believe it is acceptable. Although it is currently set at 5.99 per cent, she says the trus- tees will go back over the budget to look at six or seven additional areas. But she said things do not look hopeful. Turn to page 5 spring blooms outdoors like the ones Porsorat ouch Foret sd Git Shop edo Break ground in the spring Mississaugas receive grant for centre By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Along-term dream of Yvonne Edgar'sis one step closer to real- ity following a cheque presdenta- tion earlier this week. For more than 15 years Chief Yvonne Edgar, head of the Mis- gissaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and her husband, a for- mer chief, had been seeking an addition to their offices on Scu- gog Island, but funding was not in in plac. changed on Monday as Elaine Ziemba, Minister of Citi- zenship, presented the First Nation with a cheque for $352,640. This money will be used for the construction of a 3,685- square foot community hall. According to Gary Edgar, the Mississauga's Economic Devel- opment Officer, the facility will feature a hall with a capacity of 120 people, council chambers, a kitchen, washrooms and stor- age space. It will also be fully ac- cessible. This facility will be used by the First Nation to host not only its own events, but will enable it to host meetings with other neighboring Indian councils. Mr. Edgar says the communi- ty will also benefit as it will be open to the non-native commu- nity to access as well. "It's a historic day for us," he said. "We're pleased we'll be able to access the funding that we need to begin the building." Mr. Edgar says the announce- ment couldn't have come at come at a better time. The native commu- nity has far outgrown the present facility. He says it is even more important as officials are expecting the population to grow. At the present time 562 mem- bers of the band live on the 595- acre reserve on Scugog Island, but he expects more to come back to set up residence. "People are seeking to return to their roots," he said. In making the presentation, the minister also pointed to the benefits for the community. She says it will create 10 short-term construction jobs when con- struction begins as well as some part-time administrative and maintenance jobs. "We're sending an important message to Ontario that we're creating jobs to provide a way to kick-start the economy." Minister Ziemba also said it provides the necessary direc- tion in helping the native popu- Tum to page 5 Plan to be a Blood Donor - Wednesday, March 17