Making do with less Want to get involved in your child’s education? The Coast Mountain school district debates its 1998/99 budget for the first time tomorrow night. SCHOOL DISTRICT offi- cials are facing their worst cash crunch ever now that cuts in provincial grants have been added to the problem of a $620,000 budget deficit. * The Coast Mountains School District will get $50.9 million from the edu- cation ministry for the 1998/99 school year — down $156,000 from the previous year, Student numbers have fal- len, from 7,772 in 1997/98 to a predicted 7,578 for the upcoming 1998/99 year, So on the surface, it appears the district didn't do so badly. But the education ministry has taken away more control for the scheol district over how that money is spent. For example, the district has Take a to spend $1.8 million on na- live education — dollars that can’t go into general operations. That means the amount of moncy the school board has control over drops by $370,000, says secretary treasurer Barry Piersdorff. While revenue is going down, expenses are going up. The district bas to come up with $400,000 more to pay teachers as required by the collective agreement, And the district has to pay off its $620,000 deficit, Piersdorff said there’s no word yet on whether the ed- ucation ministry will let the district split repayment of the deficit into two years, He said the worst case scenario — if the district close look at stats, says district IF THE Fraser Institute’s statistics are to be believed, the Coast Mountain school district didn’t do so well in the Institute’s report card on schools across the province. Caledonia Sr. Secondary managed a respectable 6.4 - out of a possible 10 in the 1996/97 school year. But Mount Elizabeth Secondary in Kitimat only scored 4.4, And Hazelton Secondary and Stewart Secondary scored 3.4 and 3.6 respec- tively, But before parents go run-. ning to the school board, iake.a look at the numbers behind those statistics, “There’s no casy way to measure performance of a it Harold Cox scnool,’’ said Harold Cox, direclor of instruction for the school district. “They’re really picking on a small portion of educa- lion — to me that’s wrong," he said. The Fraser Institute said it waited to provide an abjec- live look at the province’s public and private schools. Tts study taok a year and authors analyzed education ninistry data to prepare the information, “An honest, open ap- praisal of school per- formance will encourage improvement across the board. Knowing where we stand, schoo] by school,’’ said study co-author Peter Cowley. The Fraser Institute used five indicators to determine a grade for cach schoo], One was the rate of failure in grade 12 provincially examn- inable courses. The second was the aver- age mark on those provin- cial examinations. The third was the dif- ference between provincial exam marks and school marks to judge if teachers are marking easier than provincial examiners mark, The fourth was the per- centage of grade 12 students who graduate. And the final indicator was the number of provin- cially examinable courses taken. Based on those numbers, at Caledonia students failed 10.8 per cent of grade 12 provincial exams. The aver- age mark on those exams was 66.5 per cent. There was only a 4.7 per cent difference between exam marks and school marks on average, And the grade 12 graduation rate was 94,1 per cent. Where Caledonia fell down was in the average poy Barry Piersdorff has to make up the deficit in one year — is that there could be a shortfall of as much as $1.4 million be- tween the incoming money r ’ and = the penses. “IVs going to be compli- cated,’’ Piersdorff said, anticipated ex- , hoting much of the school district budget is governed by contracts, making it dif- ficult to find money, The district’s budget com- millee meets tomorrow night, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. - in the school board office to wrestle with the financial problems. That meeting is open to the public. The commiltee has to come up with a budget by May 12. Piersdorf£ admitted that will be a narrow window of time to settle the budget and get community input into it, It’s going to be a dif- ficult stretch,’’ he said. Aun interesting wrinkle for the budget committee will ’ ; i : oh . cap be dealing with a new lower on = administrative spending. Dollars for that have shrunk by $79,000, due to enrollment changes. The old Terrace school district usnally spent marginally under the admin- istrative cap, but the new lower cap could mean some adjustments will have to be made. Another potential problem is enrollment could decline even further, Assistant superintendent Skip Bergsma thinks student numbers could drop as low as 7,544, If his estimate is more ac- curate than (he ministry’s — and historically it is — that means $120,000 allotted by the education ministry doesn’t really exist. Northwest high schools — from Fraser Institute rankings of 256 B.C. schools on a scale of 0 to 10 10 Prince Rupert Sec. Charles Hays Sec. Mt. Elizabeth Sec. Caledonia Secondary Hazelton Secondary Stewart Secondary Nisga’a Elementary-Sec. Houston Secondary | rag S a] & 6 uo 2 wo 2. G 5 = E n Bulkley Valley Christian number of provincially ex- aminable courses — taken. That was just two per sit- dent, giving a score of two out of a possible 10. An average of 3.6 per student would have been enough to gel a top score in that category. Province-wide there are a possible 17 provincially ex- aminable courscs students cat take. But in many small- er schools, students don’t have as many options. How can you run a German 12 class with one student? Small schools also suffer in other ways, pointed oul Teen health survey here STUDENTS iu the Coast Mountain school district fom grades 7-12 will be taking part in a health survey this spring. The survey is being done by the non- profit McCreary Centre Society and will be distributed here through a public health nurse, - The survey follows up another one done by the McCreary Centre in 1992, It’s designed to reveal emerging health issues and track trends. That year the Kitimat dis- trict took pazt in the survey, but Terrace did het. But this time around 25 per cent of stu- dents throughout the combined school dis- trict. will take part. They'll be part of 25,000 students surveyed province-wide, Questions on ihe survey cover a variety of issues including common health problems, volunteering, jobs, drinking and driving, exercise, sextial bchaviour and drug use. The questions were chosen because it is during the teenage years that many health habits and attitudes are formed. Survey results will be made available to government agencies, schocls, community organizations and health professionals. Sharon Beedle, assistant-superintendent + of the school district, points out that student canonymity will be protected sitice students “don’t identify themselves on the survey, The public will be able to find out regional survey results, but nothing more specific. When a similar survey was done by the McCreary Centre in 1992, some parents ob- jected to survey questions about sexual be- haviour and drug use. Much of the criticism was a fear that as- king teens questions about risk taking be- haviours would encourage that bebaviour. But literature accompanying the survey points out that adolescents are regularly ex- posed to these concepts through the media, their friends and at schools. formation. Plus Beedle says parents can choose not to have their chifdren take the quiz, Grade seven sludents will have to get a consent form signed by their parents in order to take. part in the survey. ; But the consent of parents of students in grades 8-12 is assumed, unless the parents notify the school of their objections, Beedle thinks the survey will provide the school district with important and useful in- In Kitimat the survey will compliment an- other survey done by the school district this winter on bealth risks and suicide. That survey has already prompted posi- tive community action, points oul Beedle, and has a led to the start of a peer helping program for First Natious students. Cox. For example, if a school has fewer than len grade 12 students, just onc failing an exam will blow the average percentages out of proportion. Cox also added that there are big differences between schools in what determines if'a student is allowed to en- ter grade 12. Some students stay in grade 12 for more than a year. Other schools won't allow those students into grade 12 until they’re confident of the student’s ability to handle the material. Not surprisingly, accord- TERRACE TEENS will take part in a province wide ing to the Fraser Institute’s survey, small schools scored the worst. At the bottom of the scale was George M. Dawson Secondary on the Queen Charlotte Islands, followed by Nisga’a- Elementary Secondary School. On the other end of the scale was the private school St. Margaret's in Victoria. Cox said he hasn't bad any calls from parents yet on the report. ‘Parents are smart enough to see through the fallacy of taking figures oul of con- text,”’ he said. survey this May asking them a variety of questions about exercise, jabs, drinking and sexual behaviours and more, Kathy MacDonald, a public health nurse, Is coordinating how the survey will be distributed. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 15,1998 - AS ee, ee eee rr ee CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Responsibility and sex Dear Sir: A wise man once told me, ‘‘don’t go out with anyone until you are ready for the commitment of marriage.” At the time J thought that sounded cxtreme and old- fashioned, but I fater discovered ihat there was truth to those words. I belicve that same concept applies to sex, The pri- mary (although not the only) outcome of sexual inter- course is pregnancy, so the logic is, don’t have sex un- til you're ready for the commitment and responsibility of raising a child, Thear all the arguments for putting condom machines into, and keeping them out of, the schools. But quite honestly, {don’t think that condom availability (or Jack of condom availability) is the reason for Terrace’s high teen pregnancy rate, increasing scxually transmitted diseases, and even kids with HIV or AIDs. Nor do I think that making condoms more accessibte to kids will help to solve any of these problems, Granted, using a condom while having sex is ‘safer’ than using nothing at all but, when used properly, it only provides protection from possible pregnancy, nol from HIV or other STDs. Furthermore, having sex involves a lot more than just the actual act of intercourse; it involves the whole per- son A thin sheath of latex will not protect your emo- tions, il will not shield you from hurt or rejection, and it can not protect you from a broken heart. Tam not in any way anti-sex, but as a Christian I be- lieve that sexual intimacy is meant for two people to share within the boundaries and protection of a mar- riage relationship. I know that these are my own personal conviclions, sol do not want to judge or condemn anyone for the choices they make or the lifestyle they choase. But I do know that with increased freedom, lhere comes a heavier responsibility. { pray that with the sex- ual freedom our society grants to kids, they will have the wisdom and maturity to make the right decisions, Crystal Ruchotzke, Terrace B.C. Condoms not a cure all Dear Sir: Tonce knew of a Grade $ teacher in another city who taught personal health educalion and his approach to teaching his young students was unique and well- respected. When he discussed the topic of sex and con- traceptives, his message was clear. ‘“The end result of sex is a baby. Period. If you are not responsible cnovgh to bring a child into this world, you are not responsible cnough for sex. Period.’” Why would we give young people the idea they are mature and responsible enough to have sex if they are not even mature and responsible enough to provide their own contraception? | realize that statistics very depending on their source, but bere are a couple [ have read. The theorelical chance of getting pregnant using a condom is about 5-10 per cent. The actual failure rate of condoms among teenagers can be as high as 30 per cent because of improper usage. Are our teens aware of this? Or are we (as mature and _ responsible adults) giving them the very wrong mes- sage that sex is ‘safe’ because of using a condom? I cringe at the repercussions of the inaccurale message T hear being promoted. ‘Lorrie Myers, Terrace, B.C. {received via e-mail) Pension appeal not fair Dear Sir; Lam writing regarding ‘‘City Appeals Pension for Firefighter’s Widow,” April 1, The Terrace Standard, It is not fair after 30 years of service to take away the WCB pension from Bobbie Halvorsen. Yes, Per Halvorsen died at home: and was a light smoker. ] say light smoker because he had quit until his mother’s death; then he occasionally smoked. As for being overweight be was as hard as a rock, There were comments madeé by the highest paid city official, Bob Hallsor. Per Halvorsen was healthier than most ton smokers | know. In the last budget cuts he was demoted after 30 years of service and put on graveyards. He wasn’t very pleased. He hasn’t worked graveyards since his son was a little boy. But that wouldn’t cause stress — not ona 57-year-old man, aot at all. So after losing ber husband suddealy without prior waming, Bobbie Halvorsen, who works for minimum wage, doesn’t deserve a WCB peusion. Per gave 30 years, plus his years as a volunteer firefighter, to this city. How many houses, lives and businesses in Terrace do you think lic saved while risk- ing his own life. . Put yourself in a firefighter’s shocs, sec what they see, do what they do, and then make your judgment. Per Halvorsen gave a lot. He was a firefighter, cub and scoul leader, a loving husband and father. A teacher and a friend. For what he gave, there can be no price tag attached. Laura Letourneau, Terrace B.C, In praise of doctors Dear Sir: Thanks to all doctors, with special thanks to Dr, Evans and Dr. Appleton for the concern they have shown to my wife, Norah, while she was in hospital. Dr. Evans was called in about {0:30 p.m. on a Friday to assess Norah’s condition. He came to the hospital three times on Saturday and three times on Sunday; the last time about 8:30 pan. Then back to a full work week Monday with who knows how many call outs he will have after hours during the week. I don’t know how niany olber palienls he may have scen during the same lime, Dr, Appleton also came in twice on Satur- day and twice on Sunday. I have to think other doctors treat their patients in the Same manner, so! say thanks to them ever so much. Jim Le Clelr, Terrace B.C. The Terrace Standard welcomes letters to the edifer. Our deadline is noon Friday for the following Wed- nesday’s issue, Our mailing address ts 3210 Clinton St, Terrace, B.C. V8G 5R2. Our fax number is 250- 638-8432, We particularly welcome letters via e-mail. Our e-mail address is standard@kermode.net