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Educators' reaction about school funding is cauitious By DENNIS SMITH Special fa The Champion Local educators are restraining their enthusiasm for provincial initiatives aimed at increasing extracurricular and remedi- al support at schools. An extra $50 million for school boards and the repeal of mandatory extracurriculars for teachers high- lighted last week's announcements. But some Halton education offi- ciais are reacting cautiously, saying they need more information. Larry Chud, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation in Halton, was skeptical about the increased fund- ing, which will be shared hy boards. "One wonders if it is really new funding the govemment is announcing," said Mr. Chud. It will help, but it's not enough." He said he's pleased mandatory extracumrculars are being scrapped. but Mr. Chud is awaiting details fromn the Education Ministry on teacher workload. "It's a better sign than worse. It has significant potential to be good," he said. "The question will be what counts as instructional time. Coaching football may not count, but covering for the coach may count." Extracurriculars - like after- school sports and clubs - and remediation - the extra academic help for students - have suffered because high teachers must handle 6.5 classes per yesr instead of six. To improve the situation, the Education Ministry will expand its definition of instructional time and provide greater workload flexibili- ty so boards can recognize extracurricular activities. Details are expected in another week or so. Halton District School Board Chair Ethel Gardiner said the announcement has occurred well past board staffing deadlines and will cause timetablihg conflicts. "Down the road I hope this is going to make extracurriculars more accessible for kids," she said. "It is certainly going to, in the short-term, cause a great deal of disruption in our schools." Ms Gardiner said she'll need more details before commenting further. "We don't know what strings are attached to the announcement." 'Me ministzy will require boards to plan for extracurriculars at high schools. It's also encouraging extracurriculars training for both teachers and community volun- teers. Ontario Education Minister Janet Ecker said the govemnment is com- mitted to providing good education and has increased funding by $360 million for the next school year. "We must continue to work together with ail of our education pariners tw sec much-needed reforms to the system through completion and success," she said. Another teacher representative was pleased with the funding increase, estimated at more than $7.5 million for the Halton Catholic District School Board. Richard Brock, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, Halton elementary unit, said the key is there's freedom about how the funding can be used. "Tis can tinally be the relief we have needed in the areas of split grades and excessive supervision, while achieving comparable com- pensation packages with the rest of the GTA as we preserve our prepa- ration time," said Mr. Brock. . Besides the Catholie board's $7.5 million increase, Halton's public school board will receive nearly $5 million more, noted Burlington MPP Cam Jackson. "Education continues to be a prior- ity and we've increased funding yet again to help Halton schools ensure our chldren receive the education tiiey need to succeed." The Canadian dhampicon Frday,Mayl 2001-7 YOU ARE INVITED To Participate ln a Master Plan for Halton Region's Agreement Forespts The Region of Halton is preparing a Master Plan for the 1564 acres of Agreement Forests located in the Town cf Milon and Town of Hahon Hâs that are owned by the Region and previously manag.d for forestoy purposes under agreemnent by the. Mlnistry cf Maturai Resources. Tih. pu"ps of the Master Plan s to guide forest use and management activiies over the next 20 years to ensure the beakh. safety, and sustainabllity of the. forests. The study process wili document existing natural and cultural resources, ldentiiy issues, conflicts and opportunkbes among foest, natural heritage, culturai and recreationai objectives, and establish appropriate strategies and actions required to manage the forests sustainably. The Region is establishlng a Regional Forest Public Liaison Committee to assist the exciiange of information among -stakehoiders and to provide input into the. Master Plan. This committee is intended to reflect a broad range cf interests and users cf the forests. Tiie Region is seeking the. participation cf 12-15 members froni clubs. organizations, community groups, and residents to represent such interests as: " Hiking " Residents adjacent to the. forests " Aboriginal interests " Forest related services & Industries *Hunting and fisiiing *Snowmoblfing *Citzens at large " Naturalists " Other forest interests Tuhs Regional Foreet Public Liason Gonvnittee wi Meet 3-4 *thtiiouh t& .stuy process. Regional Staff wifl select a cross-section of mrenbers bas.d on suinison received. If you arm Inteesfs In pa,*ipSIIng on his commiMt ,PlUS. suhmit your naon% addreas. phone number, afflad ons, wfth rasons for YOur Inftrest ï M&v 3o 2M to f0 Ms. Petdcla HeurIngussel!oui below. In addition, tii Region Ywil hast two Public infomation meeting during prepxaration of tde Master Plan. Tiiese meetings vvifl b. advestisedin the. local newspapefsund notice wl b. sent te tiiose on the mailing Mist. To add your naine to en. mallig lst or to obtab nyAnfhbilfaiof.p.Ause contact: Ms. patrica Hefring, MCIP, RPP, Senior Planner Regional Municipaity of HaRon il 5lBonte Road, OakvUle ON L6MXl1 Phone: 905-825-6161, ext. 7206 ToN Free: 1466-IIATON (1-866-442-M86) 11V: 905-827-9833 Fax: 905-825-8822 E-mH: hernnaoregion.haiton.on.ca m-«.ecohaMn.ofl.ça i am ---.à