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4-mhe Canadian Champion, Tuesday, October 2, 2001 Knw- fTrustee tuirning to Ministry of F a d a,,0 Pléseafter school board colleagues ce alus Micae arecent board meeting. Te action a wfth Burlington Tirustee M calEllis wants taen in responte to Mr. Elis' release of story education minister to overturn decision confidential documents relating to the new contract given recently to Education idié8s By TIM WHITNELL ing hilm from attendmng private Director Dusty Papke. at87- Special to The Champion bor sessions or rcingdocu- Mr. Efls doesn't dispute that hie forward- 878-recevmg ed mn-camera minutes to 'Me Burlington 2341, A local public school trustee mentaion relating to themn. Post. î1ext. 234. wants die education mainister to Burlington Trustee Michael Ellis was The second-terni trustee - flot present reverse a board aecison prevent- censured by a majority of his colleagues ai ai Uic meeting where hie was censurcO, due CRAFT SHOW OCTOBER 3 - 6 Corne see the handiwork presented by crafters group, "Creative Artisans" A Stitch in Time Saves Nine MALL CLOSED MONDAY, OCT. 8TH "<Puq IILUCVWAI frie nd ly & fam iliar Escarpment Country-' Tourism Partner ducation nsure him. to health problems - is the dniving force bchind an extemral audit of board practises relating 10 bis allegations of improper board procedure conceming the director's contract and achool closures. Tlhe auditor's report, which could cost $50,000, should be available by October 12 witb its findingi likely made public ai the October 17 board meeting. Mr. Ellis said be feels bis censure is uncalled for. He stands by bis dlaim that the audit results will justify bis release of the May 16, 2001 mn-camnera minutes. "The investigation will show they (trustees) voted to approve false minutes." As such, he believes beis entitled to keep receiving private board documents. "I sent a letter Friday (September 21) informing the Minisiy of Education of the situation and asked them to step in and override the decision of trustees," hie said. Mr. Ellis indicated he's looking for equi- ty in treatment. He maintained another trustee was given a verbal warning, but not censured. during a private board session last year for making confidential informa- tion public. Me. Ellis is fighting another battle ai the board as well. He was absent for the last meeting citing a flare-up of a chronic mcd- ical condition called Tboracic Outlet Syndrome. He said he's been on disability leave from bis Minisfly of Finance job since May due 10 bis ailment, which makes bis ami, hand and somnetimes part of bis face go numb due to a neck muscle blocking an artery. He's bad surgery in the pasi and is await- ing an MRI retult to see what cani be donc to alleviate pain that makes it difficult for hlm to sit for prolonged perioda. In light of bis problem, M. Ellis request- ed a tbort-tenn leave of absence from the board ai a recent board meeting. He bas since cited Section 228 of the Education Act. It notes a trustee loics his seat if hie miss- et three conaccutive regularly-scheduled board meetings if the absence isn't author- ized by board retolution. Unsure when he would be physically able to retum 10 the boardroom, Me. Ellis asked for the leave. Laat year a trustee asked for a short-term leave of about tbree to, four monthi. Il was a perional issue and it was granted, hie said. Trustees, though, decidcd 10 offer Me. Ellis a way to remain an active truistee. They offered to hook him, up ai bis home with hands-free tecbnology so he could in essence attend the regular board meetings. Me. Ellis taid he's reserving judgment on the offer until he can n'y out the teleconfer- encing îystemn. Hc'd prefer a straight leave of absence in case bie can't physically handie the demnanda of the remote meeting, but figures trustees have other motives. "I don't know if it's so mucb an offer but an understanding that if 1 miss three (straight) meetings they can gel me oui of there. Board Chair Ethel Gardiner wouldn't comment on Me. Elis' qucat to have the Ministry of Education overtumn bis cen- sure. She did say thc board's motives are sin- cere rclating to bis leave of absence requesi. I1 truly believe thc board was trying to accommodate Me. Ellis' requesi for a Icave by providing a tclcconfcrcncing opportuni- ty s0 bie can participate in meetings and Shopping Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9:30 arn. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 arn. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday Noon to 5:00 p.m. Corner of Main & Ontario 905-878-3900 1