wy So Teachers ask for contract mediator (From page 1) Mr. Hinch described it as a "quality of educa- tion issue, and we don't think. that Durham Board has addressed this." He said that especially in the primary grades, large classes make it dif- ficult for teachers, and the issue is creating a morale problem among teachers. However, Mr. Hinch said he is "optimistic the staffing issue can be resolved." As for the monetary issue, the association is "asking for straight salary hikes of seven per cent and up-grading of benefit packages that would be an additional two per cent. The Board has offered a 1.5 per cent wage in- crease, which a provin- cial fact finder has call- ed 'too low." The fact finder"s report, prepared by Dr. Harold Jakes of the University of Ottawa was made public last Thursday afternoon. The report says flatly that the "1.5 per cent offer is too low, considering the Board's excellent finan- cial position. I am con- vinced the Board is in a position to make a better settlement with its teachers." While Dr. Jakes states in his report that the two sides "are very far apart at the present time," it appears as if they "desire an amicable set- tlement -- with reason- able compromise." Mr. Hinch said the teachers negotiating team is pleased with the recommendations made Lady dies i (From page 1) more than 80 mg. of alcohol in his blood and criminal negligence causing death by the operation of a motor vehicle. A passenger in the Pontiac, 70 year old Peter Soos of Etobicoke, " Es v Sharon Goslin in crash was treated for minimal injuries at Community Memorial Hospital in Port Perry. Police say the accident happened at 6:50 p.m., just east of Brenda's Esso station and within minutes of the Goslin home. Scugog No.1 firefighters were called to extinguish a blaze caused when the Miglec vehicle exploded - into flame. Mr. Miglec appeared for a bail hearing the night of the accident and was released on his own recognizance. He will appear in a Bowman- ville court room today (December 18th) to set a trial date. Mrs. Goslin, who was well-known and well- liked throughout the Scugog community, leaves her husband Glen and daughter Annette. Her funeral was held Friday at McDermott- Panabaker and intern- ment is at Hillman Cemetery in Utica. Tax man is waiting Failure to pay proper- ty taxes on time in Scugog Township will cost you 15 per cent per annum, or 1.25 per cent per month. Township council has endorsed a by-law set- ting out the penalties for unpaid taxes and the by- law will take effect on January 1, 1985. Overdue taxes are those which were levied in the current calendar year and remain unpaid. The 15 per cent per an- num penalty charge is the maximum a municipality can charge under provincial legislation. A few years ago when financial institutions were paying as much as 20 per cent on money in deposit, there were reports that some people were investing their pro- perty taxes and simply paying off the penalties which were at a lower in- terest rate. by the fact finder in his report, especially reference to the fact that the Board has offered its secondary teachers more than the elemen- tary teachers. Durham elementary teachers now earn a minimum of $20,285 to $41,956 for a teacher with 11 years experience and full academic qualifica- tions. The average salary is about $30,000 per year. But Mr. Hinch made it clear that the staffing and class size issue is of more importance to the teachers at this time. He noted that Durham now has the second highest pupil-teacher ratio in On- tario, and "despite repeated attempts by teachers, the issue has not been resolved." He said that if the reduction in class sizes was achieved, it would add about 30 new teachers at the elemen- tary level in all of Durham next September and reduce the PTR from the current 19.5/1 to 19.0/1. : Also last Thursday, the Durham Board released a statement saying its salary offer would in- crease overall compen- sation by 4.67 per cent, or $2.3 million. The Board statement said the re- quest by the teachers for a 7 per cent hike in all salaries would increase the total compensation package by 10.3 per cent, or $5.1 million. "The Board's position on compensation in- creases is based on the desire to demonstrate financial responsibility in accordance with Bill 111, which recommends that total compensation be kept to a maximum five per cent increase," says the statement. The statement makes no reference to the teachers demand that average class sizes be reduced, but it does note that transfer payments from the provincial government to the Board are expected to increase this year by just three or four per cent. SECONDARY Negotiations between the Board and its secondary teachers have also gone to a fact finder and Dr. Jakes in a report made public on Thursday, sug- gests a salary hike of 3.8 to 4.2 per cent. The secondary teachers are seeking a 7.5 per cent hike in all categories while the Board has offered 2.6 per cent, for those at the top end, and 9 per cent for those with the least experience. The board says meeting the wage demands of the teachers would add $.3 million to the cost of secondary education in Durham this year, while the Board's offer would amount to just over $2 million more. PORT PERRY STAR -- Tues. December 18, 1904 -- 3 With all the trimmings There were a lot of smiling faces at the Port Perry Legion Hall December 11, at the Third Annual Rotary Christmas dinner. Close to 140 meals with all the fancy trimm- ings were served by Legion Auxiliary. Put- ting on the annual dinner is a joint effort by the Rotary Club Legion and Auxiliary, much to the delight of all who attended from the community. In this photo are Rotary presi- 'dent Mike Fowler; Legion president Bob Ar- cher and Auxiliary president Wendy Anderson. School Board keeps ban on alcohol at funct The Durham Board of Education will continue its ban on liquor and gambling at any after- hours functions in schools throughout the Region. Trustees last week again defeated an amendment to the regulations which suggested that while alcohol and games of chance are banned in the schools, they might be permitted under cer- tain circumstances on weekends or weeknights during holiday periods in communities where there is no other facility for such functions. The proposed amend- ment, which came from director of education Bruce Mather, reached the Board meeting last week after it had been defeated at an earlier U--" | fm p-- committee meeting by a 2-1 margin. Scugog trustee Rev. Stuart McEntyre said he remains opposed to any changes which would allow alcohol at certain functions, or games of chance. However, he said the issue has "become a (From page 1) crossed in front of the bus. Then, with the bus flashers still operating, the bus began to move ahead, bumping Brad- ley and Rodney and knocking Rodney to the Members of the Durham Elementary Teachers Association answered questions at a news conference held in Whitby last week as a fact finder's report was made public. The report suggested that the Durham Board of Education should improve its wage offer to the teachers. The teachers have ask- non-issue as far as I'm concerned." "It is totally wun- necessary" to make any changes, he told the Star. Although there was a request more than a year ago by community seeking use of schools where games of chance ground. Without regards to his own safety, Bradley jumped back in the path of the bus and pulled Rodney out of the way. Police say the bus continued on its way with the driver alleged- ions could be held and liquor served, the demand has dried up in recent months. Rev. McEntyre said the gambling and liquor issue is just a very small part in the larger issue of community use of schols policy which the Board is trying to settle. Boy saves pal ly unaware of what had happened. The next day, Dur- ham Police charged Clinton Chambers of Prince Albert with care- less driving and pro- ceeding with school bus flashers in operation. ed for mediation in their contract dispute. From left in photo are Gary Shannon of OPSTF (Durham) Barb Garland, of Durham Womens Teachers Association and John Hinch, chairman of the bargaining team.