_ Trustees must find savings:

“LOCAL MLAs are split on
"the possible salgamadion of
- the North and West Vancouver
schoo! boards,
- By fan Noble’
News Reporter”

ie Liberal MLA Daniel Jarvis and
NDP MLA David Schreck support

the proposal, while Liberal MLA”

Jeremy Dalton, an outspoken critic
» Of the indebted Nozk

‘board, prefers to hear arguments ,

from both sides before he makes a
"decision. ° :
“Only ¢ Independent’ 2 West
“-Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA‘ David
« Mitchelt opposes amalgamation.

‘The amalgamation: will’ go”

7 ahead if-'a steering committee that
_ includes school trustees’ and imin-
istry officials can’t come, up with
the 1996. way to'save $20 million in

ear and $30 -

government no Tater than April 15,
e 1996." pone a

cations ‘director: Shawn _Robitis

“said. the: province _plans:. to,’save |
‘approximately, $750,000 each year...

“in basic operating expenses in the
38: districts: amalgamated, ‘for a”

total ‘of $30-million a year.

“Mitchell : said ‘he. means

: Zs Bdneation § tactics of challenge :

_ ing trustees to come up with a bet-
-ter, way to cut costs to avoid ama -

ng plans, this is an opportunity, to’,

“prove itself; Mitchell said

“That is what:is’on ‘trial here’.

an refer North ‘and

West! ie couver school: districts, *
i ‘Schreck | said“ the ‘Howe Sound ©

local accountability and greater
say in education. Amalgamation,
he said, would be a slop: in the
wrong direction, °°

Liberal” Daniel Jarvis. North”
: Vancouver-Seymour MLA, is the

only opposition MLA to support
amalgamation of the North Shore
school districts.

He believes that if money can

be saved in administration, more .

can flow through to students,

His fellow Liberal, “West
. " jcouver-Capilana MLA Jeremy
Dalton, supports the Liberal party

‘line in backing amalgamation, but |

remains neutral on the focal amal- ”
gamation,, which is fiercely.
opposed by. the. West Vancouver
school district...

Dalton reiterates the “Liberal”
position that ‘money go to the

‘Classroom, . not . administrative’

waste,

’ Before: making a decision, he
‘wants to see meaningful discus-
sion in areas such as purchasing
efficiencies, . transportation, main-

. tenance and how amalgamation

would ‘affect. the financial posi-

, tions ef the districts.

“North " Vancouver-Lonsdale
MLA David Schreck: stands by his
party’s: proposal. for, the North,

'Shore. He expects ' amalgamation

to provide savings down the road,
though he anticipates : some auljust-
ment costs in the first year.

- In defending the NDP proposal,
Schreck said the West Vancouver.
-board’s argument that it is unique
can apply to. many boards in B.C..
“I’m not. too sympathetic ‘with

those who simply want to protect |

‘heir own turf,” he said.
: Schreck :. added ; that parents _
identify far. more with their. local’

schools ‘than the school board. So,’
parents will still -have an opportu-"
“: nity for “meaningful involvement.”
:Schreck said’ the Education’

Ministry. is. operating | under the
assumption that amalgamation will

‘go ahead. .
_ Although “Charbonneau pro-
* posed that the Howe Sound board.

be arnaigamated with the Sunshine
Coast’ and Powell ‘River. boards,

board ;could become. part. of a.
“preater” North Shore board. |

y PET PHOTC os

~ for Christmas By’
“Professional |
; ~ photographer
poy ee

“Save:10% off o on all your
Christmas a anopPing

: pet's I heaith and related i issues -
between 2: 30pm: nee 00pm.

This year, the merchants of Park & Tilford Centre pive you the opportunity to

make your Christmas wishes come true. Enter EACH WEEK for your chance 0 win.
$500.00 worth of. merchandise of your choice from our. merchants. Simply fill in

your wish list below and deposit your entry in
the ballot box located at the Garden Entrance. '

‘The contest. begins Friday, December 1,

1995 and runs to Thursday, December 21,

1995. A winner will be: announced each
Friday, up to Christmas Day (Dec. 8, 15 44

& 22). All entries will be eligible for‘our “Be
Grand Prize draw| of a trip for 4 to “Ny
Disneyland, which will be awarded in the first
week of January 1996. -

SJust tell us what you want, where to find ie and how much it cosis. Each:
- jentry must tally to $500.00 exactly (excluding GST. 8 PST) and haye a:
| minimum of 6 retailers’ i items per, lise. _ “(Seve On-Foods and Cineplex Cinema eluded

entertainment. Come listen 1 té lacal schoo! carollers each
weekend. Call 984: 8200 for scheduling.

“Watch for our weekly entertainment schedule i in each
Wednesday iss issue of the North Shore News. -

Gaiden Hours: Daily froin Dec. 4 4pm
~ Gardens closed Christmas’ Day