The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The Canadian Champion, Friday, October 25, 2002- Public school board set to hire on 54 EAs By ROBB SWVYBROUS Special ta The Champion Halton District School Bo; trustees at their regular boý meeting last week approved motion to hire 54 new educatii al assistants (EA) from its list qualified professionals. 1The October 16 approval means 27 h necds students who're currently not att ing sehool, or who attend an a limited 1: because they dont havc EA suppart, be gaing back ta class fulI-time. It alsa means an expenditure of a $1.5-millian that trustees will havi account for when balancing next y, budget. "Wc need EAs, we nced support ta aur high-nceds kids in schoal," Education Directar Dusty Papke. "If we cant fmnd off-setting savingsa the ministry is net willing ta assist us. there is the patential that wc will ho year-end deficit. Whatevcr that dcli( we are responsible for dcaling with it iý next budget." Mr. Papke said a potential deficit de affect the boards legal requiremnent te a balance budget for the 2002-03 s( year. That budget was passed in Jur trustees as per Ministry of Educ guidelmnes. "The requirement is that a boardp balanced budget which wc did," Mr. 1 said. "But quise aften things camne up d 0F THE ESC2 the year and that's what this is." The education director said he didn't ard know how the board is going to corne up 3ad with the funds ta, accounit for the hirings. He said there's a chance the ministry will Id a kick in some cash to pay for the EAs but Ofl- that's flot the expectation. it of "Hypothetically, sure (the ministry might help pay)," he said. high- "Certainly we've made them aware of end- aur situation. They recagnize the difficul- riasis tics that we face." wiîî Board Chair Ethel Gardiner said trustees had no choice but ta pass the motion. about She said the right for ail childrcn in e t aIliton ta attend sehoal is paramaunit over years finding the moncy ta pay for the niew EAs. "It's unhelievable that any baard af cdu- keep catian shauld have ta go thraugh this ta get said money for special educatian kids." she said. snd if " If we end up in a deticit at the end af the sthen year than sa be it. I-opefully. this will he ive a same relief for students, families and cit is staff." in aur Mr. Papke said the board already has a list of qualified EAs wha could be inter- )esn't viewed for the positions. ýpass Forty-one of the new EAs will work with chool high-needs students, while 13 are car- marked for junior and senior kindergarsen ne by classes with mare than 24 students in them. atian With the board appraving the motion Wedncsday, Mr. Papke said interviews can pass a take place immediately with the hope of Papkc getting EAs and special necds students inta the sehools in the region as taon as possi- lurtng bIc. ARPMENT Friday, Nov. l5th, 2002 6:30 p.m. Granite Ridge Golf Club 9503 Dublin Line Milton Dress - jacket & Tie TICKETS - Cali 905-693-8592 $125. per person ($65. tax receipt provided) Raffle - Door Prizes - Entertainment W:&to*Charitable #893451 625RR0001 .b This ad sponsored by Zaks Pharmacy New Style, New olour. Pine Bedrooms available in several Sold Oak Mission Dining Suite. différent styles and finishes. Seats up ta 12. OCher styles to choose from. Great selection of armoires, night stands 10 fabulous colours available. and ladies and men's dressers. 1%)tt'iIIIl M t114HtUtH11111 'L4 H >11 11 100%AM] MAD 1 ID OAK U * N!~Il. L ist01(e l.400sq I Sh -oi jcýlags c e - o A tffk Ilcis China ah4llk 2doé4,Ise i O O 0 0 0 0 i Premium Quality and Freshness Guaranteed eFresh stock arrves weekly, over 4,000 items including: *200 types of candies, chocolates, gummies and sugarless sweets *Baking supplies - raisins, prunes, dried fruits, sugars, mixes, nuts, spices, specialty flours *Snacks - over 100 of your favourites, snacking nuts and mixes *Herbai Suppements, Health Foods and Organic Products Canadas largest bulk food retailer & miore ... now 69 locations and growing Franchise locations available in Ontario and Atlantic Canada - (905) 886-6756 Milton Mail 55 Ontario St. S. (905) 693-9207 Quait, am zizd.el w -5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 '0 j' rwýw 1