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14 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, June 1, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Board juggles funds to save special ed program From page 1 other funds. Half of that supplement will come from board reserve accounts, while the rest will come from unspent grants for administra- tion and school opera- tions. Mr. Ross replied to Mr. Flaherty that "your statement that the board will not top up special education fund- ing this year is false". He listed a host of fig- ures which he says prove the Tories are short-changing Durham on special ed funding, and on per pupil allot- ments in general. The province last year introduced a new fund- ing scheme for schools which sees the education ministry setting grants for boards, and designat- ing specifically how that money will be spent. While trustees were at first elated by the new formula, which boosted funding for public schools here by millions of dollars, they began to point out what they said were errors made by the province in calculating + . CE LA ay Sed IR eB sve TE = HE yA Nave Dave Dixon, Five Star Service Manager. fo student populations and funding allotments. During their budget process, trustees were told that funding for special education has declined, and that there was less latitude for shifting of funds to sup- plement such programs. A suggestion that the Learning Strategies pro- gram may face cuts prompted an outcry from parents, many of whom made emotional appeals for continuation of the program at public bud- get meetings. It is the fact that the budget committee held such forums -- one occurred two weeks ago in Uxbridge, during which special ed was discussed at length -- CHRYSLER FIVE STAR SERVICE ""You shouldn't have to ask for a lift from a tow \ truck driver to go on / \ Vacation this summer." / OO Peas of mind diving inspection. @ Rotate 4 tires RAK HAK @ Inspect antifreeze/cooling system, inspect all fluid levels @ Inspect electrical system, inspect front and rear brake system, inspect exhaust system, Inspect suspension system Road test and report results only at your neighbourhood Chrysler retailer. *Ofter valid at participating Chrysler retailers. Ask for details. XTRA KAR KX RAKARANRNN DANSE PYPP PY VY YPPIPPYIYYIYOPrPOIVYYPPIYIPPYIIVYPIIIOPIYYITYYIIIIVYIIPIITIVYVIYITYTIYYYYYOYY | able that left trustees espe- cially angry about Mr. Flaherty's criticism of their communication with parents. And they say the province is under-fund- ing Durham's public school board. "For 1998/99, Durham received $5,783 in per pupil grants from the provinee," said Mr. Ross in the letter released Friday. "The provincial average per upil grant was $6,289... $506 per pupil less than the average in Ontario." Mr. Ross calls that discrepancy "a stagger- ing shortfall of more than $31 million. "In taking over the funding of education, the province promised equal funding," said Mr. Ross. "The facts suggest otherwise." Mr. Flaherty said that there's plenty of money for special education in this year's grants. "The province's com- mitment to'special edu- cation is reflected in the amount it has allocated to the board this year," he said, noting that Durham has received increased funding, and ~ that the government is spending "a record" $1.2 billion on special educa- tion in Ontario this year. . He urged the board to find a way to preserve its special education programs: "The children who are enrolled in the program deserve the best and should have access to the best possi- ble resources." NHL players coming to town for bass tournament Have dinner with official NHL hockey players and profession- al fishermen for .the kick-off of the 1999 Celebrity Cup Bass Fishing Tournament. The dinner will take place on Saturday, June 26 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch. 419, 494 Bay Street, Port Perry from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are Adults: $25 and children are $20. On Sunday, June 27 will be the Celebrity Cup Bass Fishing Tournament. All proceeds of din- ner go to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of . North Durlam. . Tickets" are avail- from Framers Gallery, Port Perry - 9856-2543; Baldwin Sales, Uxbridge - 852- 3453 or the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Agency Office - 985- 3733. CEP Y PV IP Y OP VY VERY VY YY YYTVYTSTYTYee ew ee