WEFrBY FREE PflESS, WEDNEADAY, APRIL 27, 1988, PAGE 15 Public sehool bôard tax ncrease 9.19% hic' Whitby FROMPAGE i "We feel that frustration, we feel powerless ... we have no control over tonight." Again referring ta political rhetoric about education as a priority, Lafarga noted "Here we are raising aspirations, but where's the money?" "We're close this year to taking the quality out of "Quality, Education," said Uxbridge trustee Heather Beveridge, referring to the board's motto. municipal taxes will pay for 50.4 per cent of -the total te be spent this year -~ an increase of about four per cent in 'the local share - while provincial assistance falîs to 45.55 per cent. Salaries and wages account for more than $165, million of the total expenditures. The boa+d will also spend $10.65 million on transportation of' students, -a jump of 22.8 per cent over last year, said Brown. "Approximately $57,000 will be spent each school day ta transport about 18,000 students to and from school," he said, noting that amount didn't include funding for the revised trans- portation policy. As the board was awaiting word on Tuesday about capital funding grantsfor new schools and other types of school construction, the budget includes funding for three new schools this year, one in Ajax and two in Pickering. Also approved was funding for one addition, te Palmerston public sehool in Whitby. The board will also spend more than $1.5 million for 49 more portables this year, about two-thirds of that cost to be borne by taxpayers. The board wlll also hire 87.5 more staff. Brown said a "major contributor" to the increase in spending this year was the added staff, transportation and spending on behaîf of trainable retarded and special education students. He also noted that the "full impact" 'of the 169 staff hired last year is feit in this year's budget. He said there would be further staff added this year to meet increased enrolment. Brown said costs for special education programs climbed by 13.77 per cent to $20.5 million. "I submit that we are fast approaching a saturation point in special education, and alternative ways of meeting the needs of these students may soon have to be found,." Murphy's motion, to add fund- ing in the budget -to make the revised transportation policy effective as of Sept. 1 this year, was approved by a 5-4 vote at a meeting of property and transportation committee last week. On Monday, she urged trustees te "put our" money where our mouth is" to, -provide equity in transportation in the region. But some trustees, including John Buchanan of WhiWtby, argued that there were other, greater needs in educa tion than transpotton. Brown also opposed the motion while Bowman gave support. The budget also includes fundirig to continue to reduce the board's debenture debt.-In 1988, the debt outstanding will be reduced by $654,000 to -$1.36 million. The board plans to wipe out the debt by 1992. Durham < 4 M on. - Wed. 9:30-5:30 f~j1éIwm#hz:r Thurs.- Fr1. 9:00-9:00 C;ls lt," Saturday 10:00-5:00 DIVISION 0F 585710 ONT INC Mother is a Special Person! Give her a s'pecial gift on MOTHER'S DAY, MAY 8TH Custom Made Family Rings 20 styles ta choose from Corne iii and see us now. Don't be disappointed. 210 Brdà k St. South, Whltby 666-4612 HEY KIDS Learn hotu to inakepyur projects more attratie! FREE DEMONSTRATION Saturday, April 30/88 10:OOa.m. By neioa SEATING IMED -CAMI GOLD OFFICE CONCEPTS 668-3883,-19DUNDASST, W, WIIB M MM MM MM MM :or 4~yu'cpe. )UR KP PY CE RES ! il, >1 Y e " *Colour Copies *Print Service *Fax Service " Office Supplies " Cerlox Binding " Stapling 1 SOUTH 4030 666-:;601 29DufdasSt. East, Whitby _____________________Saturday 9:30-4 :30 SPECIAL GlUTS FOR SPECIAL MOMS Motherls Day - May 8, 1988 $37.50 OMOTHER'S ANGE by Donald Zolar $44.90 ELS M MY MOTHERn FIRST TOUCH" n by Norman Rockwell by William Chambers (Dealer Member of the Bradford Exchange) PRECIQUS PLATES 'N TMINGS Q ~# 8, 153 Brock St. N., (WhItby Lane) MR Mon. - Wed. 9.30a.mn.-4p.m. a Thurs - Fr. 9:3a.m.-p.m.DUN[DAS(HWY.g2) j Saturday 9:30a.m.-4p.m. Parkng off Perry St 'Ah do declah V Mali Daddy says the place to go foi, tasteful gifts is TURTLECREEK And art prints af aid buildings, lais of great crafis and country stuff tao. Open 11 Ia 5 Tues. ta Sat. 153 BROCK ST. N., UNIT 4 IN ~1~ree/~ WHITBY LANE, WHITBY ~sic ~TEL (416) 430-3242 mý