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Ch udleigh enthused, Andrew reserving judgem eut By IRENE GENTLE Special to the Champion A new education funding model ks receiving top grades f'rom MPP Ted Chudleigh while Trusîee Erica Andrew f cels the numbers may need I0 improve. Or at lea.st 10 stabilize. Choosing lier words carefufly, Ms Andrew of the Halton Board of Education said she couldn'î comment onn a new fund- ing model announced lasI week by Minister of1 Education Dave Johnson until ail the kinks have been worked oui. "Theres nohing I can say riglil now because we still don't know what il is," said Ms Andrew. "We've got some nuns- bers and generaf sîaisîics but we dont know wbaî we're going 10 ge." Ms Andrew rcfused 10 comment on the model, wicb provides money bascd on the number of students and individual needs, raîber tban propcrty tax asscss- ments. The model also defines classroom spcnding for the first ime. By defining classroom spcnding funding is funneled dircctly 10 the cîassroom, leav- ing wbat the provincial govemment feels are bloated administration budgets bebind. The government bas earmarked $ 14.4 billion for tbc next îbree years for educa- lion. Separate grants will lic set up for adult education, junior kindergaten, school ren- ovations and new sebool construction. The model also puIs teachers back mbt the classroom for longer bours per day, reducing preparation ime. Ms Andrew said until the numbcrs are crunched she is not prepared 10 give an opinion. "Riglit now I don'î know bow Iis w:ll affect Halton and 1 don't want to guess Erica Andrew uîtil the numnbers are final and we have a chance 10 atralyze thern," said Ms Andrew. In contrast Halton North MPP Ted Chudleigh couldn't wail 10 praise tIhe model. whieh he believes is a slcp forward in education reform. "We're îurning the chari upside-down so the student is ai the top," said Mr. Chudieigh. "Good education is îbinking about the child f-irst." By putling funding on a per-student basis, introducing sîandardized report cards and strictly defining what constitutes classroom spending, the plan is 10 take education mbt the 2lst century by going back bo the basics of more teaching and less administration. "There may be some administrative problems in the public board 10 mccl blie budget. 1 believe their administration bud- gets arc quite higli," said Mr. Chudleigh. "The thing 10 focus on is il's a fair'funding model." Baby help Do you have a ncw baby, or one on the way? If so, you may want 10 check out the Halton Regional Hcalth Deparîments -Calling New Parents" or "Healîhiest Babies Possible" programs. New and expecing parents wilI reccive expert advicc from qualified child care professionals. To regisber for ither pro- gram, or for more informnation, eall 878- 8113. The Canadian Champion, Friday, April 3,19 98 - 11 It's adding ap to confusiorn With ail the figures being thrown around following the release of the Minisiry of Educations funding nodclelt1ere ûucni be a luof inc orrectrouiers ,out Admiiistrators with the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholie District School Board maintain they need more ime to galber informnation frons the ministry and interpret whal il will irian 10 their respective budgets f'or tlie 1998-99 school year. So f ar, the figures bandied about by different groups just dont jive. For instance, the Ministry of' Educalion sent out a chart detailing revenue impact of the new funding model for ail school boards in the province. Thie graph states the Hal ton public board had operat- ing revenue of $243 million in 1997 and will lose 0.5 per cent for $24 1.7 million in 1998-99. But a look at the total operating and capital revenue tý be made available 10 the Halton public board in 1998-99 shows the projccted figure of $259.9 million f als far short of the $276 million budget the board is eurrently operating within. Operating revenue norînally excludes funds put aside for capital projecîs. such as renovations or new sehool buildings. Dusîy Papke. the publie board education director, said lasî Friday that, "Grant formulas have yet to be issued te the boards in order to allow tbcm te calculate the actual funding levels under tbis new funding ilodel. operating revenuie in 1997 ot $99.8 million. and that will increase 11.7 per cent to $11 1.5 million in 1998- 99. Joe Birett. business manager with the Halton Catholic board, said he doesn't know where the gov- eronent got tbe $99 million opcrating revenue figure for this year. "The figure we have is about $119 million," said Mr. Bireit. "Obviously, they've donc some other (lunding) exclusions, but do those exclusions gel included in future years?" Mr. Birett said lie bas rio idea at this point how the numbers will shake out, but lie does have a feeling his board will be somewhat better off than the neighbour- îng publie board. The Halton Elementary Teachers' Association (HETA) said initial grant figures for the public board indicate that funding for 1998-99 has decreased by more than $20 million. A HETA release addcd, -Even more alarming is that funding will be decreased in the following two years, even thougli projected enrolments for Halton continue 10 increase." 1997 Chrysiar LHS, 4dr. black ....*....... 26,9U5 1995 PlymotMVofeger SE. wagon, green....199 1997 Dodge Gr Caravan, wagon, whte $2..2,9W5 1995 PlymnouhbVoyager, wagon, driftwood .,13,»95 1997 Plymouth Sneoe, 4 &., green .... ...$14,595 1997 Plymouti Br.e 4 ci, greens. .$54 1994 JnpY., 2 dr, bblu.... ... ....... $14,9% 1997 PIymuh No, 4dr.. whte .........$12,9 1990 Dodge Caravan LE wagon, ai ive/gray.. .$7,9U ~UTH SALES E VC TRUCKS I ~RUMBE Plymouth, Chrysier, Jeep & Eagte S[ RVIdE *RtO50D LEASEPRICtS Junior/Senior Kindergarten Registration For Septembel' 1998 Halton Catbolic District School Bord ADVANCED registration for those chldren who will be attending Junior and Senior Kindergarten (flot currently registered) in the Cafholic Schools in Burlington, OakvilIe, Milton, Georgetown and Acton will be held at ail schools on WEDN[SDAY AND THURSDAY April5 and16, 1998 9:00 arm n 0foof 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ACE 0F ADMISSION AND REÇUIEMNS Junior lunoraruSeniorKindergarten Children are required to be 4 years of age Children are required to be 5 years of on or before December 31, 1998. age on or before December 31, 1998. # Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate required. # Before registration is finalized, a child will have completed t he prescribed program of immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measies, mumps and rubella. # Familles registering for the f irst time at a school are requested f0 provide the child's medicai card at the time of registration. # For furfher information or alternate registration date, please contact the principal of your nearest Catholic School.o James V. Sherlock (" ~ " Fred L. Sweeney Chair of the Board irecnr of Education Friday, April 35 1998 Weekend April 4-5,1998 sùm" ]Nift 1[hutuluqs RetroDiscoDance,-ýDp 4P Alternative ' Classic R-ýl-'ý'< with D j Buzz 1 '[this Friday Live -'l- Ilthis Saturday bo