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"Scugog"s Community Newspaper of Choice" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 15, 2000 - 17 Durham teachers set to take strike vote today From page 1 powers. The guidelines for staffing will make it very difficult for school boards to go beyond provincially set figures for salaries in negotiating contracts with teachers. "We have already filed for a conciliator from the labour board in our current talks," Ms Page said in June. "But that is not out of the norm; we almost always go this route in our contract talks." Ms Page said at that time that she would ask for a strike vote from her mem- bers in August. "Under the present gov-' ernment we have no option but to go back to class in the fall with a strike man- date already in place," she said. The new legislation will not force teachers to take part in extracurricular activ- ities at this point, but Minister of Education Janet Ecker has made it clear that the power is there if it is deemed necessary to impose such measures. Extracurricular activities in Durham high schools have been severely cur- tailed since teachers were forced two years ago to take on extra teaching time in the classroom. The minister said that the continued withholding of extracurricular activities should not be used by teachers to gain leverage in their current contract nego- tiations. "Ms Page has nothing to SCcugog was among sites for Games events From page 1 bowling at the Port Perry Lawn Bowling Club; womens' rugby at Port Perry High School; and beach volleyball behind the Scugog Arena, said Mrs. Robinson. "We really had some top-notch sites here." Also helping ensure success for the event was the support of local businesses, she said. "There were a few lit- tle things, a few prob- lems, but it was the first time the games were ever spread out amongst a number of municipali- ties," said Mrs. Robinson. "But our local busi- nesses, they really pitched in and helped out. We had some nice financial help from some businesses, but there were dthers too who gave us some help when we needed it." Included among those are John Mackey and his staff at Port Perry Marina; Brad Allen of Allen's Electronics/Radio Shack; Les Gower and Watertowne; and town- ship staff for their work in preparing for the events. » Mr. Crosby said the committee will begin its analysis of the event in preparation for a final report on the games next week. PORT PERRY DENTAL OFFICE Dr. Nan 'PERIODONTIST ® INSURANCE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED ® EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE (WE COLLECT FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES) = DENTISTRY WHILE YOU SLEEP ® PAYMENT PLANS ARRANGED ® SENIOR CITIZENS DISCOUNT NEW PATIENTS WELCOME 085-8459 ® GENERAL ANAESTHESIA AVAILABLE 462 PAXTON ST. (ACROSS FROM PORT PERRY HOSPITAL) fear from this government as long as she follows the rules set in the Education Act," said the minister. "l simply will not allow the students of Ontario to become part of the negoti- ation process between teachers and individual boards of education. We have said this all along; this is not new." Meanwhile, members of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA), which represents secondary RS Ca LE a Ce teachers in the separate school system here, say a strike vote is not pending. Bob McDonnell, presi- dent for OECTA in Durham Region, told the Star that his members will not take a strike vote anytime before the start of classes in the fall. "We have our next con- tract talks with the board starting Sept. 12," said Mr. McDonnell. "There is a lot of talking to be done, and while | am not too confi- dent given past negotia- RETURNING STUDENTS August 16, 17. 18 & 23 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CLASSES COMMENCE MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2000 R.A.D. Ballet Exams Registered Teacher. Royal Academy tions, we would certainly not be in a position to take a strike vote until talks had reached an impasse and a conciliator had also (failed to reach an agreement). We are not even near that stage yet." The stumbling blocks for OECTA are the same issues facing public school sec- ondary teachers: Increased teaching time, new provin- cial limits on what is con- sidered teaching time, and the threat of forced partici- pation in extracurricular PORT PERRY DANCE ACADEMY LT D. (formerly Bridie's School of Ballet and Related Arts) 112 Water Street, Port Perry, ON ° Tel. (905) 985-5081 x. Creative Ballet x. , Jazz ¥. Tap %. Adult Classes %. Pointe a. New!! Stretch & Strength x. activities. Catholic secondary teachers took part in an eight-day strike in 1990, and were involved in a province-wide walkout by teachers three years ago. And Catholic teachers in Durham were locked out by their board for four weeks until the province ordered teachers back to the class- room in 1998. "Given the history I can't say I'm enthused with our chances," said Mr. McDonnell. NEW STUDENTS August 24 & 25 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. New!! Hip Hop of Dancing (R.A.D.) Creative BR Dance & Modern ) CHOREOGRAPHER FOR I'HE ONTARIO SUMMER GAMES 2000 Artistic Director Richelle Kinley-VanDyk REGISTRATION - AUG. 14, 16, 18, & 21 from 6 - 9 pm. Scugog Island Community Centre 2710 Demara Rd., Port Perry 985-6908 Ballet, Jazz & Moving Well _| Acting Classes for Kids!!! AGES 7 - at 7pm, Instructor John Foote REQUIREMENTS * Energy!!! e Creativity * Imagination * Energy Again!!! IT (7pm - 8pm) 12-15 (8pm - 9pm) EVERY TUESDAY BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 19 THRU NOVEMBER 28 COST $85 Complete All classes take place in the Kinsmen Hall on Simcoe Street. Understand there will be a pre- liminary information/registration evening, Tuesday. September 5 in the Kinsmen Hall CALL 985-0611 TO REGISTER!!