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4 -'Thi. CÔuadiàn Champ4ion, Tuesday, August 29, 2000 Congratulations to the Ontario Steam & Antique Preserver's Association's 4Oth Annual LABOUR DAY WEEKEND Welcome to ail visitors and participants IONTAlRlO'SI CLEAN Accredilted Test &RePair Fecllity* Halton residents to give inputi on school boards association By DENNIS SMITHl Special to The Champion Copyrights, labour negoti- ations and special education are among current issues being tracked by the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA). The association now includes two meinhers from the Halton District Scisool Board - Michael Ellis and Milton's Erica Andrew. Burlington trustee Mr. Ellis was recently elected as a vice-preaident and chair for OPSBA's central west region. Milton trustee Andrew succeetis him as Halton's represen- tative on the association. "Halton now has two voices and two votes at the table," said Mr. Ellis. "There are concernas from each area of the province and when Halton bas concernas it will defi- nitely be good to have two votes." The association provides resources, training and lobbying efforts for public achool boards under one umbrella organization. "tIt's one voice for school boards in Ontario and we have the power to lobby the government collective- ly for school boards," said Mr. Ellis "I definitely think we get looked aliter better as a group." Association supporters say the group's lobbying bas saved boards many millions on special educa- and the association is trying to get tion, debenture funding. early an overali deal to save boards childhood education and other money. areas. Mr. Ellis noteti the organization bas work teama reviewing educa- tional developments and evaluating how they will affect individual boards. Tht Burlington trustee citeti the following items as key concernas for tht association. -Labour negotiations. OPSBA provides comprehiensive negotiat- ing information and is trying to get boards to develop common bar- gaining positions. "We're trying to bring boards together regarding negotiations,", saiti Mr. Ells. "We want to get negotiasiona moving on a province- wide basis.Y Tht LabRnet service provides information about collective agree- ments at ail Ontario boards anti plus labour relations training through trustee conférences. -Copyright. Fees paid by boardsa on leamiàng materials is another big issue. OPSBA officiais say their negotiating has saveti boards more than $3 million in licensing over threc years. 'Tht association was able to get a better deal than we woulti've receiveti on our own," saiti Mr. Ellis. -Hytiro deregulation. School boardis are large hytiro consumera PARENTS and STUDENTS W.I.DICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Re: Reconstruction of Riverplace Ct., Mountainview Dr., and Highside, Dr. Due to the exceptionally wet summner, the pro- ject completionl has been delayed until Septemnber 25, 2000. For your safety vehicular and pedestrian access to the school will be pro- vided- via Highsîde'Dr. from Mountainview Dr. only. Access to Highside Dr. from ' Ridege Dr. and Etru St. wiIl be restricted to construction operations. Thank you-for your patience. R.S. Tipping Coordinator Construction 'p - Spe.cial education. T'Me associa- tion formed a team to provide fig- ures for special education needs in an effort to obtain improved fund- ing fromt the provincial govern- ment. Legal advice, awards, student scholarships, conferences for trustees, staff and school board chairs andi a web site with educa- tional informastion are other ser- vices provided by OPSBA. Mr. Ellis said he wishes more Halton trustees would attend asso- ciation conferences, but he feels the organization is appreciated. 1I believe most trustees believe there is great value to OPSBA, although there is concemn about thse amount of dues paid," he said. The Halton board pays $67,000 annually to the association through dues from the adinistration bud- get, said Mr. Ellis. "It doea not affect clasarooma or students." He believes the association is worthwhile, baseti on'the work per- lormeti andi the dollar return it achieves. In a recent report, OPSBA presi- dent Liz Sandals saiti the associa- tion is a leader in presenting both views anti neetis of public school boards to the provincial govern- ment. eachers onour Grectýer Theresa Greer, executive direc- to.r of Halton Women's Place, was honoured August 17 by Ontario's ele- mentary teach- ers. Theresa Greer Ma Greer was presenteti with the Elementsry Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) 'Women Working in Social Activism on behaîf of Women anti Chiltiren Awarti'. Phyllis Benedict, president of ETFO, presenteti the award at the federation's annual meeting in Toronto. Tht awarti, for which tht recipient gela $5,000, is granted each year by ETFO to an individual woman or group of women who aren't members of the federation but have been outstanding social activista on behalf of women and chiltiren in Ontario. "For tht past eight years, Halton Women's Place bas been working in botis elementary and secontiary achoola to deliver 'Developing Healthy Relatonahipa,"' said Ms Benedict. 'Ibis program's goal is bo promote posi- tive peer interaction, including a focus on what is and what is not a heaithy friend- ahip or dating relationship. Tht project alan aima to develop problem solving and conflict resolution akilis." 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