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"WEEKEND STAR". =\ (14 * 1.014 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11 200013. Parties invited to meeting Minister set for 'summit' on extracurriculars By Rik Davie Weekend Star What's being described by some as an education summit will take place this month in an effort to restore extracurricular activities in 'Ontario's schools. . Minister of Education Janet Ecker, MPP for Uxbridge, said she will host the summit between teachers' groups, parents, school boards and trustees in an attempt to find a solution to the impasse over after-school activities. Teachers in Durham Region have for the most part refused to take part in the programs for the past two years. They're upset over contract require- ments that impose more in-class teaching time, and say they don't have time for extracurricular activi- ties. Mrs. Ecker told the Weekend Star last week- end she has high hopes for the meeting. "I've been meeting with representatives of the stu- dents, with student trustees and with student Ecker groups, over the past cou- ple of weeks," said the minister. "Today (Saturday) I'm going to Toronto to meet with a new provincial group of student trustees to get feedback from them." Mrs. Ecker said the meeting with stakeholder groups, set for today, is key to solving the ongoing bat- tle over extracurricular programs. "I've said since | have been minister that extracurricular and co-cur- ricular activities are very important to students, and parents are fed up with them constantly being Sources say murder plot led to probe By Rik Davie : Weekend Star A murder plot target- ing one of Durham Region's toughest pros- ecutors may have been the catalyst for the three-month police investigation known as "Project Extraction." The police investiga- tion led to raids on two Port Perry homes and the eventual arrest of two Port Perry men, along with 13 others. The investigation was sparked by a source alleging a plot to murder Crown Attorney Brian Davies, said a source. The former Port Perry defense attorney has a reputation as one of the most disliked prosecu- tors by criminals in the region for his tough style. oe ~ Durham Police are remaining tight-lipped about any alleged plot to kill Mr. Davies, but rumours of the prosecu- tor and his family being protected by police have 'been emerging since the arrests. "The raids on Nov. 3 resulted in suspects being charged with a variety of weapons and drug offenses, as well as conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed rob- bery, and conspiracy to commit wounding against some of the accused, including Port Perry resident William Zaparnuik. Stephen Joseph Ball of Port Perry was charged with firearm offenses stemming from the same investigation and 13 others, including Sean Pratt of Scugog Island, face a variety of charges. Superintendent for Major Crime Chuck Mercier told The Star that he could not com- ment on cases before the courts, but did say that further charges could yet be laid. "If the project team finds more evidence, then further charges will be laid," said Supt. Mercier. He said that no case is entirely closed, "until Jit goes to court." Mr. Davie could not - be reached for com- ment. No charges regarding "amurder plot have been laid against any of the suspects arrested. es jeopardized whenever a union has a fight with a board (of education) or with the province," said the minister. While some extracurric- ular activities have been restored in Durham sec- ondary schools and the Durham District School - Board has made funding available to hire part-time teachers to fill in when teachers must leave the school for extracurricular events, the level remains well below normal. Durham secondary teachers have cited increased teaching time as the main stumbling block, and have said in the past that with increased work- loads, teachers must focus on in-class work. Mrs. Ecker said she wants to meet with all par- ties before making any SAVE wi our ard. Brock's Go moves. One of her options is to legislate extracurricu- lar activities into teacher job descriptions, a move the province has so far been hesitant to take. "I've said before, if we can't fix it one way, well, we'll fix it another way," said the minister. "I have a number of options and alternatives that are available to the government, and | want to See in store for details. speak to seek (sharehold- ers') input before | make any final decisions as to which step we should take." Teacher groups in sev- eral areas across the province are now in a strike position, and it appears that more school boards . will face the. extracurricular crunch that has been present here for some time. IRAE 4 On foot 7 et | iia data AT A