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B6-The Canadian Champion, Fniday, June 27, 2003 Board's budget process criticized fromn HALTON on page B4 that 1 was prepared to do an (budget> (oservieo 'fOr iho hoard lw h , \li. Huelt said tl didn 't bother him that trustees decided to pass the budget witbout mucb public discussion. Mr. Van de Vrande singled out top board officiai Mr. Piovesan for some criticism of the process. "I find it a lack of leadersbip. Tbey (trustees/stafi> need the budget passed so bow it gets donc doesn't seem Io mater that mucb." Mr. Piovesan said be doesn't appreciate the implication lie isn't doing bis job prop- erly. -To criticize anyone 1 feel it isn't appro- priate or called for We submitted a budget %Hov get~ and an extensive rationale for eacb of tbe items that were in the budget or îlot. wasn't bappy witb the process. He made tbat very clear," be said. "Six out of eigbt trustees were satisfied witb that process. Tbey bad questions answered eitber at tbe table or by calling tbe appropriate superintendent. Il two- tbirds of trustees were supportive of that, wbo am I to say that's wrong and you sbould bave lengtby (public) discussions on tl.- Mr. Piovesan indicated you can't com- pare the budget process tbis ycai witb pre- vious contentious ones wbere changes were requircd and done dloser to the provincial deadline. I "Were there specifue (public) questions 0se f staff lihsri; eVrn nliii rf- 1 aI iji cie ci tt a.d to be nmade. Thbis year we did make cuts. Our first budget, a public document, sbowed a $14 million shontfal. Tbat was tbe budget we submit- ted April 1. Back on April 1 we didn't bave the revised tunding formula." The updated dollar grants from the provincial govemment came in late April, be said. *'So revenue increases plus cuts added up t() en(iugb to balance the budget. We sub- mnitted the balanced budget îwo board meetings ago (May 20)> witbout aIl the rationale because we were stitl working oin it.- v' can acting fast you faster speed? for the first 5 months* lt's simple. Just sign Up for Bell Sympaticé- High Speed service by June 30,, 2003. AIWAYS FAST Sympatico High Speed Internet service lets you or a Bll Word stor Making >5 simple. service is aoailable only 10 resdential cusomers rohere fechnooogy permits. Otheronditions andr esftros apply. Regolar nionrsily raie (oorrenfly $4495) applies 'n montsix ooand iclodes access, modemn use and lacs of combioed dlownIoad and opload bandroîdîs actsîdy. Additional charges apply for exccss bandosîdîs usage. Raies subjeci 10o ange and ecude applicable taxes. Offer is avalable trom un oe 1610 lurne 30, 2003, and oiy so oeeo Sympatico Hgh Speed sobscribers. Offer sbject oi 0 ancellaî,on or change onthouf notice and coorsot 6e comnbîred srrdh any other Bell Syrpaico offer "Somne codtions apply. Domsioad speeds onlîrre can vary onoîh Internt raffic, server or other factors. Sympatico is a rade-rmark of Bell Canada. Roger Blxby, Playlng Wth the Mohawk Racetrack elots team, h»c the look of cotncen- tretion belote maldn hie drive during thne l4th anela Chamber of Commrc Golf Toumement et Granite Rldge Golf Club. Photo by SABRINA BYRNES Catholie board gets cash injection from MORE on page B4 $36.2 million. "Despite thc potential impact of the elimmnation of OAC and the resulting double cohort of graduating students, the Halton Catholic District Sebool Board is still in a growtb pantem and will not be adversely affected fmnancially by thc double cobort phenomnenon," said Education Director Lou Piovesan. "bj fact, overaîl, the board is projectmng for next year a growth of about 500 students (elementary and secondary combined)." Among tbe new curriculum initiatives featured in the budget are: - An itinerant numeracy teacher position that will support the new Early Math Strategy, wbich will take place in ahl elemnentary sehools with an empbasis on the early years. - An itinerant literacy teacher position to provide suppor to1 sebools and principals as Uiey implement Literacy Matters, the board's literacy framework. - New initiatives in the area of technological studies and the Ontario YouUi Apprenticeship Program. The increased funding in special education is related to Uic provincial ministry's favourable reassessment of the Halton CaUiolic board's needs, wbich will enable Uic board to more effec- tively provide the educational support required for ils nearly 1,800 identified special needs students. This increase is targeted prunarily in Uic area of stafflng and will provide for more educational assistants (EAs) and special educa- tion resource teacbers, a new cbief social worker and the start up of a new community living programn at St. James Sebool in Oakville. Anotber bigbligbt of tbe budget is Uic provision of a new pro- grain tor students at risk tbat was recently announced by tbe min- istty. It bas resulted in approximately $486,000 in additional fund- ing to deliver the prograru. It will focus on the co-ordination of strategies, work plans and staffing to promote succcss for students in grades 7 to 12 wbo may bc at isk of not acbieving their academie goals. 1 & -ÀonÏw À-0 »mr4k »M 1