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E-- a a a a eT "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 1, 2000 - 1 Funding package announced From page 1 mine what's to be cut. That's because the pro- gram is running at a deficit; it was propped up last year when trustees dipped into reserves for $1.5 million, but that money is non-renewable, and can't be found else- where in a tight budget. "We are running at a deficit," said Ms Freedman. "We spend approximately $3.5 mil- lion more than we get." The board is now look- ing at withdrawing some services for special needs students, said Ms Freedman. Those kids include those identified as having learning or com- munication disorders, behavioural issues and other impediments, as well as students identi- fied as gifted. Board officials are con- sulting with stakeholders throughout the system now to determine what needs most to be kept in place. "What we're asking people is to tell us what they value," said Ms Freedman. Despite cutbacks, Durham is a provincial leader in the provision of special education, and will continue to be so, she said. She predicted that more special needs chil- dren will be shifted from exclusive learning envi- ronments to mainstream classrooms, and noted that the board is updating staff training and in-class technology to facilitate that. "You look for ways to be able to support kids in the classroom," said Ms Freedman. She said that although everyone involved with special ed "TAKEHI" WF IWAN IN (o]V]: ANCIENT FORM ORIGINATING WITH THE SHAOLIN MONKS * Relaxed ' informal atmosphere * Limited Class size ~~ for individual attention * Day & Evening Classes p Join anytime Call Cathy 985-0205 ow PY PRT TY SYR Y PY vyvevw is aware that financial constraints mean changes, it's difficult to contemplate the with- drawal of services for the most vulnerable and gift- ed 10 per cent of Durham's 60,000-plus stu- dents. "It's incredibly painful, because our job is to do what's best for students and their families," she said. Earl Manners, dent of the Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), said he and his colleagues are "thankful for small mercies" includ- ed in the funding announcement. He was also quick to point out that the funding shortfall for special ed has been caused by deep cuts introduced by the provincial government. "For the past five years parents, students, teach- ers, educational workers and school board officials have been saying there was not enough money in the funding formula," he said. "This announcement presi- Ontario doesn't even cover what school boards are current- ly spending above the funding allocated for spe- cial education." Meanwhile Kathy McVean, a special ed teacher and first vice- president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, said the funding announced Thursday is a stop-gap measure by the govern- ment that doesn't address future needs. "The Ontario govern- ment must provide per- manent additional fund- ing beyond one year as concrete evidence of its long-term commitment to greater accountability and quality standards for pro- grams that support spe- cial needs children," she said. She said the $40 mil- lion announced for 2000- 2001 "won't even begin to address the current needs. "At the moment, boards cannot provide all the resources these stu- dents need," said Ms McVean. Gas task force hits the road to gather input for report From page 1 come out of this is educating the con- sumer, too," said Mr. O'Toole. While pricing and fair competition will no doubt be discussed at length, Mr. O'Toole hopes to generate discus- sion on expanded public transporta- tion, and other solutions to address Ontario's dependency on gasoline. And he hinted that taxation may be a matter of interest to panel members. Canadian crude is expensive, but a litre of refined gasoline becomes that much more costly when you factor in the 14.4 cents in taxes charged by the province, and the 10 cents levied by the feds. On top of all that, of course, is the 7 per cent GST. Cooperation among provinces and the federal government may help miti- gate motorists' pain at the pumps, said Mr. O'Toole. "I think it's a Canadian problem," he said. While gas prices are a lot like the weather - everybody complains, but nobody seems to be able to do much about it - Mr. O'Toole said his boss, Premier Mike Harris, is looking to the task force to put , forth legitimate responses to the concerns raised by con- sumers. "It's an old chestnut. It's been around for 20 years," he said of gas prices. "But know- O'Toole ing the pre- mier, he wouldn't have made a big deal about it (the task force) unless he was intend- ing to use it," said Mr. O'Toole. "If anybody's going to do anything about it, it's Harris." The task force has also established a province-wide toll-free line -1-800-268- 1142 - for submissions from the public. Anyone interested in appearing at the upcoming consultation sessions should call 416-325-6255. should call 416-325-6255. Written submissions can be e- mailed to gastaskforce@ccr.gov.on.ca. Ontario Child Cdre Supplement tor Working Families increased 0 Monthly payments under this Ontario Government program have been e Up to $1,100 a year for each child under age seven ® Designed for low-to-middle-income families (working, in school, or one parent stays home to care for their children under seven) ® 220,000 families with 365,000 children are eligible to benefit Apply now for your Ontario supplement. I's as simple as completing an application form each year and returning it promptly to the Ministry of Finance. Ontario Helping Working Families For more information call toll free: 1-800-263-7965 (teletypewriter: 1-800-263-7776) CAE LE ERE I SR SRR - a ae