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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 24, 1998 -13 Students push both parties to seek resolution e from VENTS on page 1 Association and school councils to examine agreements reached in the province. A report by the panel to the board and the teachers' union giving suggestions for an agree- ment should be delivered within 14 days and then presented to the full board and both negoti- ating committees, he said. Students are suffering from cancelled classes, no extra-curricular activities and increasing ten- sion within the schools, he stressed, and to bring home his point, he introduced student council presidents from five area high schools. "I represent a group of frustrated students," said St. Thomas Aquinas OAC student James Ng. "The school has been left in disarray ... with words like lockouts and work-to-rule whispered in the halls every day." "Students can't approach teachers, barriers have been put in place and marks at all grades are suffering," added Chantel Blattler, of St. Ignatius of Loyola. "This is the third time in my five years at this school that I've experienced this type of upheaval. I want to get off this roller- coaster ride. Time is critical." "Get over it, talk about it and settle it, advised Assumption's David Dowe. "You are ruining the best years of our lives." Notre Dame's Tia Duke argued sports keep students motivated and skills gained via extra- curricular activities have a huge impact. Matthew Rowe, of Bishop Reding, pleaded with the board to put aside differences and make students its first priority. Paul McDougall believes the education sys- tem has undergone too much change, too quick- ly. "Over 600 classes have been cancelled since Thanksgiving. There's been a losa of trust on both sides. We want to keep students in a posi- tive learning environment and we want a negoti- ated settlement, not arbitration, and the re-intro- duction of extra-curricular activities in a safe, strife-free manner. School HQ use to be under a microscope Cc10& FramIing Warehouse Circa 1870 345 Steeles Ave. Milton (905) 878-8161 Halton's public schools are currently under close scrutiny and now administra- tive offices will follow suit. An updated report on the Halton District School Board offices, known as the J.W. Singleton Centre, was recently approved. Oakville Trustee Debbie Marklew said last year's report on the centre should be updated to satisfy the public. "I know, through talking with parents, they're saying 'Why don't you look at your administrative space as well?' " said Ms Marklew, who forwarded the motion. "In all faimess to parents and students, we need to look at the Singleton Centre at the same time we're closing schools." She suggested the update be ready for consideration prior to school closure deci- sions, which are slated for December 16. Executive director Dusty Papke said an interim update will be made soon and fur- ther options will be explored in the spring. "I'd like to do a more in-depth look at this issue," he said. Superintendent Gerry Cullen said the previous report looked at the operational, custodial, maintenance and snow removal costs for the administration centre. The use of spaces, such as meeting rooms and offices, was looked at when arrangements with third parties were con- sidered. The updated report will look at several • see SCRUTINY on page 21