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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 1 1999 - 9 Board discriminating against special needs kids, she says Human Rights claim to 2 continue: complainant By Rik Davie Special to the Star : The announcement that funding will be put back into special education programs will not halt one woman's claim of discrimination against the Durham District School Board. Kim Chrapek, the mother of two special needs children, was on hand at the public school budget meeting last week when trustees elected to draw on $1.5 million from reserve accounts to hire an additional 20 spe- cial education teachers. The move will still not bring the board up to previously high levels of service in that area, but it will leave trustees with a dangerously low level of $500,000 in reserves for emergency situations. The move came after a storm of protest by parents who were angered over potential cuts to the programs, considered by some to be the best in the province. The board cited less ability to move funds from one area of operations to another as the main cause for the budgetary squeeze. Mrs. Chrapek has written to the Ontario Human Rights Commission, claiming that statements made by a board superintendent during discus- sions on the budget amount to dis- crimination against those in need of special education classes. In her complaint, Mrs. Chrapek John O'Toole In Durham Riding charges that superintendent Ron Trbovich made statements to the effect that classes for gifted children would take precedence over special education. Mr. Trbovich said Mrs. Chrapek had taken his comments at a budget meeting out of context. Mrs. Chrapek said she will press on with her Human Rights complaint, despite the funding scheme announced by trustees.. "Nothing short of a full return to special education will stop me," Mrs. Chrapek said. "I have other parents doing the same thing I am. This board discriminates against these kids." Bev Freedman, Superintendent of" Programs for the board, said earlier that trustees and staff will work dili- gently during the budget process to ensure special ed funding is cut as lit- tle as possible. "But people have to understand that we have propped up these pro- grams at the expense of other areas for many years," Ms Freedman said. "It is not that we do not wish to con- tinue, it is simply that our ability to fund in that way no longer exists as it once did." : Mrs. Chrapek, whose children go to school in Blackstock, said she will continue the fight until she gets what she wants. | "These are my kids, and I won't set- tle for less for them," she said. PA i J SS HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD: Lloyd King was the guest of honour at his 90th birthday cel- ebration, held recently at the hospital in Port Perry. Mr. King, joined here by children Sylvia Ferguson, Ron King and Wayne King, was born May 12, 1909 in Oakwood and farmed in Hartley and Blackwater before residing in Port Perry with his late wife, Marion. Ne AVVay.NeJed Sap) [c NOMINATIONS NEEDS YOUR HELP TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON A Strong Economy for Improved Health Care & Quality Education The Patients Bill of Rights will include: + Emergency room assessment within 15 minutes « Minimum 60 hour hospital stay for new mothers « GUARANTEED radiation for cancer patients within 4 weeks...and much more. We ask for your vote! John R. OO' Toole (OX Campaign Offices: 1-877-253-JOHN (5646) PURPOSE: The Citizen Of The Year Awards will be awarded to residents of Scugog Township as a means of providing deserved recogni- tion to individuals who have performed noteworthy deeds within the community. I's these outstanding 'achievements, extraordinary displays of compassion, dedi- cated volunteers, and acts of courage by individuals we feel deserve recognition. Those honored under this program will exemplify values such as resourcefulness, courage, L ingenuity and selflessness which are such an important part of our society. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? The award nominees will be individuals who have been involved in worthwhile com- munity service endeavors, have over- come disabilitating physical or physiological handicaps to match or exceed their fellows, or have per- formed acts of hero- ism, perhaps endan- gering their own lives. Nominees must have lived in Scugog Township during the past year, or the act which they are being nominated for must have taken place within the township. 52 Water Street Port Perry LOL 1J2 905-985-4277 Ontario 75 King Street W. nr Bowmanville L1C 1R2 Pe 905-697-JOHN (5646) Authorized by the CFO in the John O'Toole campaign NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED (INTRA ITAE IA Te Ta E-RNI1 | o To Rr: Toto Tod {=e BF: QR MATT odo Ta Ql a Td dVARST Fa Ta IR R:2S HV RT gVARST {de Tc 1 8 Sela Qala gVARO Io] : Tg ToT Ws JU N= AVIA NUT Be P2 aTo ela Wea MV [eYa Te IVAN INIA TR Aum Re Je 1S