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Students ct By DENNIS SMITH Special to The Champion Students at Burlington's Lord Elgin's Satellite Centre will he allowed to stay there lor another school year if they wish. The Halton District School Board has made the change following concerns expressed by parents about decentralizing the centre, which helps leaming disabled students from throughout Halton, includ- ing Milton. The board plans to open another Satellite Centre at White Oaks Secondary School (Oakville) next February and a third centre in north Halton in September, 1999. "We're trying to expand the program and provide equity of access," noted board superintendent Brenda Kearney. She said some students and parents were Frustration vented over what is seen as slow pace By BRAD REAUME The Champion It has not been the quick, results-orient- ed review of municipal services Halton councillors expected. Already the Halton Area Services Review (HASR) process has taken longer than anticipated. Committee members heard recently that a final report will not likely be completed until near the end of this term of counicil, in the autumn of 2000. "This is going so slowly. It's not accept- able," said Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac, who originally proposed the review. "I'm seeing the entire term of council pass before my eyes before I see something happen." Some results in the form of cost savings have been achieved, such as a reorganiza- tion of road maintenance and snow plow- ing. Planning has been reorganized in Halton, with a clearer delineation between regional and local responsibilities. However, an attempt to create a north- south transit link did not fly. The Pegasus bus link has been in opera- tion for a year but it will likely be scrapped this fall. The general use transit program developed out of a north Halton service for the disabled. The main road block to completing the service review is the question of roads. Currently there is a system of regional roads overlying the local road network. A study of the issue has been adopted which will not be completed until late 1999. Mr. Maclsaac suggested streamlining a transportation study by removing several options it would consider. He explained that staff examining planning issues had trimmed their similar investigations. Mr. MacIsaac accused engineers considering transit administration of "including every conceivable option" and bogging down the process. However, committee members refused to substantially reduce the study scope, agreeing only to take the option of a single municipal road authority off the table. The committee also heard that police, fire and ambulance services could be con- solidated. However labour issues forced discussions behind closed doors. Oakville Fire Chief Wayne Gould explained that the preferred plan, a single employer, single collective agreement sys- • see RESULTS on page 15 an stay another year anxious about the changes but are feeling portation charges required for the program. better now. "This gives them a year and a Students opting to stay another ycar at bit to make the transition," Ms Kearney Lord Elgin will also have transportation nowî i t, ( ce'rod b' iL k oid The superintendent added teachers and Placementin snall groups and ilîlcosi\e instructional assistants will move with support for hait the schooi day are scen as their particular students. "Only the room kcy features of the program. Participating will change," said Ms Kearney. students have above-average inteilectuai Board officials have also noted the new abiiity, but have difficulty learning. centre will be more convenient for many, A parent representative reccntiy com- since 30 of 40 students at the Lord Elgin piained to the board participants dont centre come from Oakville. know what to expect from next ycar's pro- It has been estimated decentralization grams and valuabie peer support may be could save about haf the $50,000 in trans- Lost through decentralization. RPlacement in small3rIIo ntenv