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FrenchtrU.Stee up set over l'oss of ýteachr COLLEEN McEVOY,, tries to get the water ini the bueket and keep dry at the sarno Urne. . Hutehl4--- ublic sehool held a 'play day' for its students on Moday. Chris Bovie photo By Mice Kowalski Two French trustees have been adxnonished for flot suppoting an investigation into whyFrech teachers are leaving the Durham separate school board. Chairman Catharine Tunney bas alsio been criticized for not ushowing leadership" in demand- inganinquiry be held. Even Bîshop Robert Clune the church's ranking dfficial in bur- ham Region, has been blamed for the problems of. Durham'sa Frencen-pekngcommunity. Whitby trustee Roger Brideau levelled the charges against Tan- ney, French trustees Fleurette Leger and Sylviane Tallec and the bishop, following last week's sichool board meeting. Trustees rejected Brideau's call for a staff investigation te determine reasons for t he recent résgations of 13 French tea- chelr The board bas three French schools with 63 teachers and 1,060 students. Last year il French teachers also left the system. «rPm shocked that I could not get the support of my own col- leffes on the issue," said Bni- deau. "I have no blame for the Engi- ish trustees but 1 don't under- stand why my two French col- leagues didn't vote for it.... either they're scared or they don't care.". Loelike-Brideau; represents French-speaking residnso Whitb and Oshawa on the, board. Tallec represents French rate- Ut r inAjax, Pickering and îrdeubas not veen able te, learn why the board bas experienced the bs of 50 many teachers. "I can't tell you why, I put myx motion in te flnd out and it didn t go through,» said Brideau. , (During the meeting, Leger told tru-tees there is nothing unteward-about the resignations. Most involve job. transfers of spouses claimed Loger.) Burideau saidle discussed the situation with a few teachers but has not learned a greatdeal. «I talked te some teachers but theyw retant te respond beause Pm a politician," said Brideau. aites a closed tyrt of profies- sional organization, ho added According te Brideau, a peti- tion demanding answers is su - U sedly being circulated in tle pec omunity. ai hear a petition for the pur- pose of albowing an investigation Is aieing mounted by parents. "don't know for sure if one is, but tbe>y are upset.» Under board rules, Brideau cannot raise the issue again un- boss bis motion is worded dif- ferently. During the meeting, Tunney said the matter must be pursued by the French trustees unless a new motion is introduoed.. But Brideau said Tunney's nos- ponse was not the appropriate one. "'m also, concerned that the chairman didn't show leadershi,l she washed ber handa of it,» said Brideau. Neither Tunney nor the other French trustees were available for immediate comment. As for Clune's involvement, Brideau was succinct. "If I have te put the blame somewhere' I blame Bisbop Clune, he's the numbor one cul- prit,» charged Brideau. '1e's demonstrated int the last two or three years bhat he's very anti-Fancophone. "He sent us a. priest from Iran on the preteit that ho couldn't find a French pries;t.» In an interview with the Free. Press, Clune defended bis choicel of theFrench-speaking Iranian' "JVe kind. cf unCatholic te say. that each nationality -sbould. have its own riest, that church. is not just or Francophones,» said Clune. The bishop expressed surprise that ho would ho blamed for- the exodus of French teachers from Durham. «I know teachers are leavig but I understand tbey are leav- in'g for a number of reasons,» said Clune. 'ii bot if you approach them on an individual basis you'll:find some are starting fazùilies and others want te move dloser te home.» Clune said most French tea- chers corne from outside Durham and many would feel more com-- fortable in a predominantly. French-sp eàkingculture. «I thinlc _its more personal or individuaireasons than any.anti-> pathy te me or the,,local panisb,»ý said Clune. Although ho rejected Brideau's charge of being anti-Franco- phone, -Clunie mas not overiy upeet,---- - . - 1-- 7 &Tm certainly not anti-French I would ho ini real trouble if l was.» Stri'ke up the band LESLIE McFARLANE public sehool held a rousing music night recently. Students fr-om ail ages provided a variety of musical delights. F»Pe ht [ALEXANDRA GRANVILLE leads the bunny hOP during the St. Matthew Evangelist Catholie scoo variety show held Iast week. Cbrk Bovl.photo