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BY KIM ZARZOUR Staff Writer Public elementary school teach- ers’ demand for parity with high school teachers isn’t a realistic option in this troubled economy, says the Ontario Public School Boards’ Asso- ciation. The elementary teachels union said earlier this week it could strike if the province doesn't commit to clos- ing the student funding gap between elementary and high schools Union president David Clegg said the teachers won’t return to the bargaixfing table until the province promises to close the gap of $711 it says eigists'between thetwo levels in per-student funding But Rick Johnson, past president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, says the demands are costly and “timing is diflicult. “The econoxfiic reality is out mere'lhisiswhatwehaveto deal with," urging the teachers to return to bargaining. The government’s offerwould cost the province $700 million annually, plus $1.8 billion in salary increases by the final year of the contract Mr. Johnson says it would bump salaries to an average $92,000 to $93,000 by the fourth year -â€" up from the cur- rent $73,000. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Education would not say if the ministry is prepared to let the issue oometo astrike However Patricia MacNeil did say thattheNov. 30deadline foranagnee- ment set by Queen’s Park remains in place and teachers are “welcome to Public teachers threaten strike Welcome to ST. AMES P SBYTERIAN Q§H§s§fl SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16TH, 2008 NO 10:30 AM WORSHIP SERVICE :00 PM SPECIAL INTERGENERATIONAL WORSHIP SOUP SUPPER“) FOLLOW SERVICE YOUTH MISSION PRESENTATION “THE GREGORY FORM” BUILDING SPIRITS! A BUILDING LIVES! u Website: www.3touffvilleuc.ca iSTOUFMLLE UNITED CHURCH Mama. :1. 905-640-1163 'nETxa‘thrVn W. Minister 6432 Main St. Stonfivlllc Phone - 9056406151 email: st.)mncs.stouffvlllc0bellnel.ca smasmm 10, mm. Sunday. D96. 7 Christmas Sskbtation MmCin Barbsnhop (Show; andfrisnds 'A PMW Cburcbf Coincjinxfifim Us Scrviccpf Worship. TomfithLSmdy. Chard: $511,001. return to the bargaining table at any Ontario’s 73,000 elementary pub- lic school teachers and occasional teachers have been without a conâ€" tract sinceAug, 31. The Elementary Teachers' Fed- eration of Ontario hasn't formally contemplated job action or taken a strike vote, but Mr. Clegg said he is hearing “comments from the floor,” as he takes his message to teachers across the province, indicating most are prepared to walk. Ms MacNeil said, “It’s important to understand we’ve had four years of peace and stability that have been very productive for Ontario students. We would like another four Mr. Clegg. a former York Region local president, said, “Salary is not the issue and has never been the issue. The real issue is fairness" He said the funding gap the Liber- alshavereduoedinthepastfiveyears remains “discriminatory”, resulting in fewer textbooks, computers, musi- cal instruments, specialist teachers, teacher-libratians, guidance coun- sellors and design and technology programs in elementary schools. ‘ ltalsomeansclasssizesinGmdes 4 to 8 continue to be unacceptably high. The average class size in grades 4 to 8 is 25 students, compared to 22 in high school. Elementary teachers are not happy with their 40 minutes of daily planning or “prep time"; their high school counterparts receive a 75-minute period, he explained. The fouiyear deal being ofiered by the province includes an addi- tional eight minutes of prep time per Worship Service - Sundays @ 10am Stouffville Pentecostal Church 13660 Ninth Linc N. (905) 642-4414 Rev. Peter Pallant Sunday November 16, 2008 9:30 am Sunday School 1 1 :00 am r/f BLOOMINGTON GOSPEL cuuncn Everyone Welcome! Morning Service 6:30 pm Evening Service Wed-ally: 7pm Tuesday: Sud-ya IOam buys Eve-hp day and a reduction in class size by half a student by 2012. The teachers' union says that would not bring stall- ing levels to parity with high schools for 30 years. “It falls very far short of what is needed," Mr. Clegg said. A new 20â€"page report by Ken Leithwood, education professor at the Ontariorlnstitute for Education, is being distributed across the province as the union spreads its message. In the report. which surveyed more than 3,000 public school teachers, Mr. Leithwood concludes working conditions are more favourable for secondary teachers. “Teacfiers in secondary have no idea how good they have it,” the report begins, in a quote from teach- “They have a way more relaxed day. They have way more freedom. Elementary teachers are running around like hamsters on a wheel.” The issue could ignite the first labour dispute in Ontario schools since Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government was elected in 2003. The last full-scale strike to affect York Region public schools was 10 years ago. The elementary teachers' fed- eration walked away from contract negotiations over the parity issue earlierthisyear. The province, which is offering a 3-per-cent pay increase in each of the next four years, gave teachers a Nov. 30 deadline to accept the offer, or see it reduced to a 2-per- cent increase over two years and a withdrawal of the ‘extras’ such as increased prep time. Awaonc fillerle [inn-rum Fun 34 lutencflve Youth Ministr Clubs for kids Kidsville Senior Pastor: Yoth 8.: Family: Student Ministries: Children‘s Ministries: Counselling Services November 16‘“, 2008 9:45 a.m. Celebration Service Pastor lay Sandiford 1 1:1 1 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages Christmas Comes Early At Unionville Furniture Store By: Casey Underwood Freelance Feature Writer (Markham, ON) - How do you like the idea of getting your new home furnishings just in time for Christmas, plus getting a gift card to use towards your other Christmas gift shopping this year? 905-887-565] www.springvale.org That’s exactly what Almira Fine Furniture in Unionville is offering their customers right now. sprin9v9!e _ CU STOM E P ,. A DDD H‘I A’l“l(‘ www.almira.com foam IAIYM, MAW“ AND con-sum" Smufi’villu Rd at! Kcnm'dv Rd arm advenorial Bob Flemming Jay Sandiford Alex Street Sharon Russell Karla Kamcrman fit :7 IT! in H Stoufl‘ville Sun-Tribune I Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 Sunday, November 16th Services at 8 am 8110 am Nursery Church School at 10 am Saturday, November 15th Christmas Market and Lunch Room Many Vendors and Crafts 10:00 am - 3:00 pm All Welcome Parkview Village 1] 12184N'nttheSouflI. Doctor John Howarth Director, Sojourner Ways Christians United for Israel 7:00 p.m. fifm THE ANGLICAN '1‘ .fl. PARISH of 7%‘é‘ CHRIST CHURCH 254 Sunset Blvd., Stouffville The Rev. Canon Robert Shields The Rev. Jason Prislcy, Associate (905) 640-1461 When you place your order at Almira, you will receive gift cards based on the value of your purchase to use at many local area malls. “It’s just our way of saying thanks to our customers for their support and to help spread some Christmas cheer.” says Almira owner Steve West. Please go to: www.clmira.com or visit the store to fantastic selection. www.3touffvllloangllcan.ca e-mail: adminflstouflvilleanglicansa Come See see their