WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1976, PAGE on Durham Region publicschool board discipline, and does little to The quality of education on the whole has risen ove r th earn respect for the teacne. I think it is time to get back respect for the teachers and the teaching profession again. Ken Brown: There is really only one issue that concerns public school sup- porters, obtaining the best possible education for least possible expenditure." All other issues no matter how, expressed are actually spinoffs from this basic concept. As a trustee Iwould strive to improve the quality of our system by establishing pupil teacher ratios that provide for the optimum teaching conditions while avoiding luxury levels. This ratio should be lower in the pri- mary grades and rise slowly through the upper grades. A thorough study of the size and cost of the non- teaching staff needs to be undertaken to prevent the uncontrolled growth 6f bureaucracy that tends to occur in large school systems. I would, as a trustee, attempt to involve the teachers and the parents to a much greater extent, so that the board may rnake its decisions in the light of the best possible information. John Buchanan: I feel that the most importantissues in this election are: To get back to basic educational standards as soon as possible by the re-instatement of a core curriculum; To reduce the P.T.R. particularly in the Primary Grades as a child's first few years in the school system will set their attitude & working habits for the rest of their School life; To improve communications between the Board & Teachers by letting them attend Board meeting and seeking their assistance in solving Mutual -Problems; Request that the Provincial Government pay a greater portion of the student grants and in addition request that they offset the increasing property tax that is becoming such a great burden to persons on fixed incomes. By chang- ing the School Tax Base from - Property to Some Other Base; Eliminate unnec- essary frills in order to keep cost within reason; Co-ordi- nate School Development and Subdivision Development MEL PELT to avoid overcrokding; Encourage the use of School' Facilities will become Com- munity Facilities benefiting all the residents. Aline Currier: (1) Discontinuation of 4 year old programme - Because of government grant structure, the 4 year old programme is a profitable venture for school boards in areas where existingclassroom space is available. The space was not available in ail areas and because there must be equal opportunity for every- one in education, this excel- lent programme had to be cancelled. I would like to see the return of this popular pro- gramme and if elected I will investigate all avenues leading to its early resumption. (2) Professional Activity Days -- There are two areas of concern to parents here: (a) Are they really necessary? I think the biggest problem here is that most parents are kept in the dark about what goes on on such a day. I think teachers should inform parents in this respect: tell them how a professional activity day inakes them a better teacher and how their child will benefit. (b) What about the working nother? My suggestion . is a craft or activity day for their children organized by principals of schools and supervised by the local Y staff. Mel Peit: The greatest issue is: are we getting the best education possible? With the use of portables, children walking 20 minutes to school and children being put into taxis, I think not. I will work for more thoughtful planning THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF WHITBY ADVANCE POLL TOWN OF WHITBY-MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Take note that an advance poli for the December 6th, 1976 election will be held on "Saturday November 27th 1976" 11:00 arn to 8:00 pm at the Whitby Municipal Building, 405 Dundas Street, West The purpose of the advance poli is to enable the pèrsons who are unable to vote on December 6th, to vote on November 27th, 1976. Dated at the Town of Whitby this 12th day of November, A.D., 1976. Wm. H. Wallace, A.M.C.T., C.M.C. RETURNING OFFICER and CLERK 'The Corporation of the Town of Whitby 40fDundas Street, West, Whitby, Ontario DAVID SIMS of public schools. As a citizen, I want to know what the board is doing1 about education and what it is doing. with my money. As a trustee, I will work to get the board to meet at 7 p.m. 'instead of 5 p.m. Early meetings prevent greater citizen participation. As a trustee, I will try to persuade the board to hold meetings in the various centres of Durham. Why must Whitby citizens always have to travel to Oshawa for a board meeting? Why nust the board have second meetings? As a trustee, I will try to cut back the remoteness of the board caused by the regional system. Basic core learning pro- grammes must be introduced in ail grades. As a trustee, I will work for a tightening up of the courses offered and work to have the board ask the province to bring back core subjects in all grades. ' Dave Sims: Clearly, we are living in a time of budget- ary and fiscal restraint. This affects the Public School Board as much as any other Governmental body. To - maintain our commitment to provide the highest quality education for our children. restraint will require a caretul ordering of priorities and a critical exanination of ail spending programmes to determine that the students and taxpayers are getting the JIM SPEERS best value for the dollar spent. Insofar as a reordering of priorities is concerned, I would give greater emphasis to primary education. A good atmosphere for collective bargaining is critical. A degeneration of relations between the Board and staff will not only adversely affect the taxpayer but, more important, the student. Declining enrolment in schools in older areas, with pressure for more schools in new developments will require sensitive and imaginative FRANK SUGDEN solutions. With a 1976 budget of almost 66 million dollars and an enrolment of approxi- mately 147,000 students, the public deserves the highest quality representative on the Public School Board. Jim Speers: (1) Relation- ship between Teachers and the Board - Many teachers feel that there is little gratitude and appreciation for their work. (2) Educational standards - 4' On December 6 elect last twenty years but -during the last 4 or 5 years there has been some looseness in standards. I welcome the "back to basics" trend. English should not only be compulsory but should receive more time and emphasis. Canadian studies should stress an awareness of Canada to instill a national spirit in our students. (3) Public participation - Through Home and School Associations and the forma- tion in every Secondary School of a Student-Teache' Parent Advisory Committee. These committees will im- prove communication and understanding among parents, teachers, students and Board members. (4) EducationalFinancing - It is important to achieve a good balance between quality education on the one hand and curtailment of education- al expenditure on the other. The burden of educational costs should be shouldered to a greater extent by Provincial and Federal treasuries. Continued Page 13 John Buchanan objectives as your representative on the DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD Keep costs within reason. Improve communications between Board and Teachers. Support basic educational standards for curriculum. John Buchanan M *1 q 4 Wouldn't it be n ice to have a e fui-t irre / mayor? • Ken Hobbs will establish ~a senior citizens activity centre and apartment in Brooklin. • Ken Hobbs will establish a citizen's advisory committee so you know someone is listening. • Ken Hobbs will maintain the tax rate, working with the cost of living index to protect pensioners. he position of Mayor is a critical one-it is not a popularity contest. It is a case of the best man for the job Whitby needs a strong man at the helm-a man who can make wise decisions on our behalf- and Ken Hobbs is that man. If you agree and would like to help, call: 668-0641; 668-0780. If you just want to be sure you are getting the best man for the job; Vote Hobbs for Mayor on Decmber 6