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Whitby Free Press, Wedriosday, March 17, 1993, Page 5 .................................................. .*. . School tax increase could be 6 per cent p.. By Mike Kowalski Durham Region public school supporters may be paying almost six per cent more in taxes ia 1993. Pending further cuts, this year's Durham Board of Educa- tion budget could resuit in an average 5.9 per cent increase in school-taxes across the Region. The projected increase is based on cost-cutting measures endorsed by trustees last week and finance committee proposais stili awaiting approval from the full board. Although further cuts are stili possible, school board chair Lou- ise Farr admits the odds of that happening may be rather slim. (The budget is- expected to come before the board Iter this month.) We're considering cutbacks in areas we'vearay trirnmed," said Farr. "But the likelihood of it hap- penin g, I don't know," she said. At ast week's board meeting, trustees eliminated 51 teaching ositions and chopped te-rd an d 8family studsdeig technology program in haif. Only grade 7 students will receive the programn begining next September. Grade 8 students will receive an expanded guidance program, the full details of w hich are unknown at this time. "In better economnic times wve wouldn't be making any of these considerations,» said Farr, a Pickering trustee. "We value the programs, the teachers...but we have a respon- siblit, to ratepayers, students, staff't make the cuts asfair as possible, Farr said. Faced with increasing costs and declining provincial lunding, Farr previously terrned this year's budget deliberations the tougfhest in memory. She stressed that the process le not yet complete and noted that the finance committee is proposing that both the outdoor education and instrumental music prorams be kept. "Nothing further (cuts) came forward, perhaps peop le have reached the lmit," sald Farr. However, at its meeting last Wednesday, the committee asked staff to report on further reduc- ing costs in supplies and ser- vices, Farr said. The decision to cut the family studies-design technolog.prc* gram prompted a heatedrdebate among trustees. Cutting the program is expec- ted to save the board $469,476 ann ually. Whitby trustee Tanya Koch for one, felt the board shoulJ have looked at other areas first. <77?S1 Color Your Winid" FLATCAT EX AFTER SALE PRICE $39.92 Cai D~ê r Sndr I1916 Dundas St. East, Whitby 0f fer Expires March 28, 1i993 *~ 43 .0808' i ua 's Be- Pint &,Wiw aiarau eti-Il 1117taiWIYIUUWa I think family studies and design technoo is an impor- tant program," Koch told he Free Press. "The dollar value in savings is important but I don't think it's worth cutting the program," she said. Koch said it now costs about "$6 per taxpayer" to offer the program in both grades. Te reduction wiIl work eut to $3 per ratepayer, she said. t "~For me as a taxpayer, its worth paying an extra $3 to keep the program." Koch said savings can be found elsewhere. SEE PAGE 12 BLIND::C.LEANING Custom Macle ..*~ IUn-Home Service DORIS & BOB NEUMAN 1621 McEwen Drive, Unit, 27 WHITBY- 725-4566 .z.. t Uen 843 KING ST. WEST (West of Thomnion on soulh side) 721m2855 Active Carpet &Tiue Knowledgeable Staff'- Expert Installation *Quality Brand Name Carpet & Vinyl Floors aI * *Vinyl & Ceramic Tiles - Oriental & Area Rugs ç( >Springlslnl1eAi!'a IS WINTER STILL ON YOUR FLOORS? .: WE IA H *FRESHEN Up WITH THE LATEST IN QUALITY FLOOFý a* FASHIONS AT REMARKABLE SAVINGS a * 36oz. Nylon "Trackless" Saxony~ *Installed with premium pad $ 3a9 aIq yr More New Styles For Sprlng In Carpet & Tules I FREE WITH THIS A I'14ozbotie of Professional Stain Remnover! Vi#tou Reai Work i No Pur&.ue Neeswry* a Showroom KING ST. ShpaMhm *843 King So thm S t. 576*7847 a a Oshawva heS I 7674 %:m*. m Mmmmu *1.I m .UMUMU*Ul h . ....... q .............*.........*....................... . . . .......... 7m- 1 v-i