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the best choice is tore ken prentice ownermanager 18 ringwood dr stouffville 6429507 the one vol 109 no 53 tuesday september 2 1997 24 pages 50c gst mci a metroland publication seiyutgw signy lawson 6424540 j money concepts the cupboard is bare see page 3 eacners reac mike adler staff reporter the shaky familiar dance of last- minute negotiations between teach ers and york regions public school board reached a settlement this morning failure to reach an agreement by late this morning after two attempts over the long weekend by provincial mediator kevin burkett would have meant the strike by public high school teachers escalat ed to one of rallies and picket lines instead a deal was announced by the board at close to 9 am this means 29000 students can return to school wednesday only one day later than usual the tentative twoyear agreement includes no change to teacher salaries and an increase in the pupilteacher ratio from 1562 to 159 in this school year there was also an agreement to create a joint committee to consider new departmental structures for secondary schools the board reported this was a most unique set of negotiations york region board of education vicechair karen barker said in a release after her board negotiators met for an overnight session with representa tives of district 1 1 of the ontario secondary school teachers feder ation late on saturday burkett announced he was breaking off talks after two days because of an impasse i have asked the parties to reassess their respective positions in light of the potential impact of this strike if it extends beyond the scheduled commencement of the school year he said adding he would arrange a further session yesterday if there is sufficient flex ibility on both sides the teachers had planned to rally today if the strike which began aug 1 8 was not settled union leader lynn johnston had said the teachers would then return to the arena and break into sub groups to plan the pickets that would encircle their schools tomor row the board has promised to update its negotiations hotline at 1-800- 5460709 when there is any news after talks collapsed last month the board had asked the provincial education relations commission to send burkett who managed to get an agreement between the board and its two elementary unions hours before a planned strike earlier this year teachers had said the boards last reported offer would cause classes to increase by unacceptable num bers the union had also been ask ing for a threepercent raise ing steps down lisa queen metroland staff harvest time frank busato drives his tractor and aerates his field of spinach plants along tenth line just north of 19th avenue with his brothers bob and jim busato runs lm gardens ltd they have farmed in the stouffville area since 1956 the spinach crop will be ready around the end of september esti mates busato p by sjoerd w1tteveen stouffvilles eldred king entered politics as a school trustee during a time of change in the education system after more than 30 years of public service hes now retiring during a time of restructuring in municipal politics king 70 announced thursday he wont seek reelection as york regions chairperson following this novembers municipal elec tions my initial experience in an elected capacity began when changes and reformation was beginning in our provincial educa tion system king told regional council and i leave when major trans formation is upon us at the munic ipal forum i regret the uncertainty that still prevails king who publicly announced two weeks ago he was leaving for health reasons said his days of eldred king public ser vice have been reward ing and exciting to all 1 say thank you for the opportunity of serving it has been an overwhelm ing gratify ing educational journey which has been a major part of my life for many years councillors gave king a stand ing ovation leaving him mildly choked up it will leave a big hole for a while but im sure i will fill it with something he said kings retirement will leave one of the most powerful jobs in the province vacant the new chairperson will be one of just four people representing please see page 3 serving canadians for 75 years stouffville canadian tire 12 price on discontinued skates hockey equipment auto monday friday saturday- centre 800am- 800 pm 80pam5pjpm suhdaylojsitf retail monday friday saturday isundayj store 830 am 900 pm 830 am 600 pm to6oam 500 pm t i f 5 3jwwhwbi8l sffl