www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, February 5, 2010 · 10 Public board cuts student fees By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Book now for start dates before July 1st to beat the HST BEAT THE HST! Helping you build some of the best things in life... right in your own backyard. , FULL LANDSCAPE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION , EXISTING POOL RENOVATIONS Call us now to book an appointment to explore the options. POOLS FOR HOME DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION 905.319.7502 w w w. p o o l s f o r h o m e . c o m Student fees for items such as textbooks and course materials like wood and fabric will be a thing of the past at public schools in Halton starting this fall. The Halton District School Board (HDSB) approved a new student fee policy Wednesday night that eliminates charges for registration, textbooks and courserelated materials at both the elementary and high school levels. While fees will still be charged for what the board calls `supplementary items and activities' such as yearbooks, field trips and athletics, board staff expects the new policy to ease the financial burden on Halton families. Wayne Joudrie, director of education, drafted the policy with the help of board staff. He said the HDSB is ahead of the curve, with the Ministry of Education currently looking at student fees charged at schools across Ontario in anticipation of a similar movement towards affordable education. "This is a significant change in practice...," Joudrie said. "It is very clear the Education Act does not allow us to charge course fees that currently exist in Halton and likely across the province.... I expect the minister and Ministry will be looking at doing the same kinds of things we are doing in Halton straight across the province." Through the new policy, elementary schools will receive $20 per student from the board. High schools will receive $35 per student. This is a total cost of $670,000 at the elementary level and $600,000 at the secondary level, with a combined price tag of $1.27 million. This cost will be added as an annual line item in the budget. The $35 and $20 figures were calculated by board staff following a review of fees charged by Halton schools. The review of secondary school fees for courses showed that the average charge per pupil, per year is $35. The range of fees per student/school was between $23 and $41. The review of program fee charges at the elementary level showed that charges for in-school field trips and materials per student per year was $20. The range of fees was between $15 and $46 per student. The funds will go to the schools and will be at the discretion of the principals to allocate. Trustees discussed the student fee policy at length before giving their approval Wednesday night. A common concern expressed by several trustees was that the money allotted to the schools would not be enough. See Fees page 11 Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1952 WALL TO WALL FURNITURE & UPHOLSTERY AREA RUGS PERSIAN & ORIENTAL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Spot! Monday, February 15, 2010 Truck Mount In-Plant Service Water Damage Restoration See the transformation of what we can do in relation to others! Take your family on a trip around the world in just one day! Drop-off Discount! 25% FREE 250 ml SPOTTING BOTTLE www.onthespotcleaning.ca Bronte 905-825-4256 1446 WALLACE RD. OAKVILLE, ON Register your family for the World Drum Circle at Discovery Landing to experience percussion instruments from Africa, the Middle East, India, China, Russia, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean to name a few. Suitable for everyone aged 4 and up, don't miss this opportunity to: · Learn about the construction and origin of these unique drums · Explore drumming techniques on a variety of drums · Participate in a drum circle to celebrate diversity and family day Register everyone in your family today using RecExpress, or in person at City Hall or Tansley Woods Community Centre. $5.00 per person. Spaces are limited! Sessions will run for approximately 1 hour: 11am-12noon TTR# 212299 12noon 1pm TTR#212338 QEW W Speers Wallace allace The Waterfront at Downtown Burlington, 1340 Lakeshore Road, Burlington www.burlington.ca, waterfront@burlington.ca, 905-335-7766