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Halton prepares to tackle new smoking byIaýv A Metroland Community MILTON PUBUC'*-% LIBRAâ-, with health 'are fainding 11>1Vote# El for Best Breakfastz ~ 40 Chisholm Dr 878-8441 Newspaper Vol. 142 No. 31 Tuesday, July 3, 2001 32 Pages $ 1.00OGST included) Public sehool board to undergo audit for alleged wrongdoing Vice-chair says board has nothing to hide By DENNIS SMITH Special to The Champion Sehool is out and the auditors are inr. An extemnal audit expected to cost up to $50,0(X) will be held ibis summer ai tlie Halton District School Board. The investigation is in response to irreg- ularities alleged by Burlington Trustee Michael Ellis. Mr. Ettis shocked his colleagues last mionth whcn lie called lor an independent investigation and minisîry takeover oftihe board. H-e also asked for the resignations of' the chair and vice-chair. Ellis' charges included inisrcpresenitation of inancial matters pertaining 10 schiool closures, last-inute inflormnation belore votcs, pins violations and abuses of' board bylaws and policy. At Wedncsday's board mccting, trustces iircd back. "The allegations arc groundless and its a rcal shamie t wilt cosi us badly-nccded dol- lars to clear our naine.' said Vice-Chair Mary Chapin. "The independent audit is a way to prove we dont have aiything to bide.' Both she and Chair Ethel Gardiner said îhey will not resignl over Mr. Ellis' accusa- tions. "They are not spccific and they arc very difficuli to deal wiih" said flhe chair. "But the allegations plant questions in the mmid of the public. They put the board and staff ai risk in terms ol public trust." The board înust decide between lettîng thec accusations l'ester or using badly-need- ed resources f'or an investigation-, said Ms Gardiner. -1 carne today determined that we needed an investigation." She said cheerleading is the most impor- tant Job of' board members. 'Seing a trusice is flot about colleague-bashing and stafi-bashing or petty politics. It*s about recognizing, valuing and respecting an education system." The chair said when she became a trustee in 1995. board meetings centred around "ýaccusation innuendo and ugliness." This did nothing to improve the education ot* children, said Ms Gardiner. The board approved the audit by an 8-2 margin. with Debbie Downs and Lynne Blanchard against the motion and Drew Currah absent. Ms Downs said she'll ask for Mr. Ellis' resignation when the investigation is com- pteted. "Trustee Ellis last week made a decision see ELLIS on page 9 Comment ........ 6 Dateine........ 20 Sports ...... 13-15 Classif ied..16-18 < II. tCSE iA See page 16