LAID GFF TEACHER APPEALS Seniority threatens ‘good teacher's job A “GOOD” teacher in West Vancouver will be axed in order to reinstate an Teachers Federation wins its appeal, member said. Board chairman Michael Smith said the BCTF is pitting teacher against teacher by appealing the termination of Roger Callow. After a 17-year career of teaching in West Vancouver schools, 44-year-old Callow was laid-off last year under Bill 35, a new law which gives broader powers to school boards. That decision was upheld by an independent arbitrator recently, who ruled the social studies teacher did not show “current demon- strated ability’ to teach, and could be terminated despite his seniority. CASE APPEALED The case will now go before an appeal judge, but the date has not yet been set. Should Callow win the appeal, the board is legally required to eliminate another social studies teacher. Although school officials would not name the teacher that would be affected, they said it would be a social studies teacher with the least seniority. “Is the BCTF in favor of losing a good, young teacher who keeps “incompetent”? teacher if the B.C. a local school board By KIM PEM N News Reporter the school vibrant but has less se- niority?’’ Smith asked. “Because if Mr. Callow stays, a better classroom teacher would have to go.”’ ADEQUATE PROVISIONS But BCTF president Pat Clarke argues it is necessary to oppose the new law because of its implica- tions. He said school boards could go after teachers who take a high pro- file in union activities or politics. President of the West Vancouver Teachers Association, Maureen Ciarniello, said the School Act already has adequate provision for getting rid of incompetent teach- ers. Ciarniello said before Bill 35, Callow would have to have three negative reports, within a two-year time frame, filed against him be- fore he could receive a termination notice. She said the School Act's method of termination was more efficient, with a total cost between $1,500 to $2,000. In opposing the new act, Ciar- niello said BCTF has spent about $50,000 to date, and the appeal cost will be “significant.” Smith said legal fees so far for the local school board are between $30,000 and $40,000. BUDGET MONEY He said the money is coming from the school’s operating budget, instead of going towards the education of West Vancouver children. “We keep on paying for the board to defend its legal rights. But | think the West Vancouver community would spend five times that before we put back an in- competent teacher into the classroom,”’ he said. Callow, who declined to give an interview, did admit he received a less than satisfactory report in the 1970s, while teaching at Hillside Secondary Schcolf and in 1985 while at West Vancouver Second- ary School. Smith said the local school board has been forced to eliminate §0 teachers in the past three years, because of declining enrolment and budget cutbacks. Callow was the only West Van- couver teacher to be terminated last year for incompetence. and that it was now 4a serious threat to the Conservative and Social Credit Parties. Socreds, Tories beware, | say local Liberal Party THE LIBERAL PARTY on the North Shore is a serious threat to the other political parties, says provincial Liberal leader Art Lee. Lee was speaking at the annual general meeting Tuesday of the North Vancouver-Seymour Pro- vincial Liberal Association. “By forming and revitalizing the provincial Liberal organization you've taken a first big step tc say we are tired of the politics of con- frontation and we want answers.” said Lee. “We are a very serious threat on the North Shore, and the reason By KIM PEMBERTON News Reporter ‘ we are is largely due to the fact we have this Activity Centre here.”” The Liberal Activity Centre, home for the three provincial riding associations on the North Shore, is located at 1430 Marine Drive in North Vancouver. “We have a big job ahead of us,’’? Lee told about 30 Liberal members in attendance, ‘the cam- paign has already begun.” “The Socreds are concerned we'll be taking votes from the right and (NDP provincial leader) Bob Skelly is concerned we'll take votes from the left,’’ he said. “Our party represents ordinary British Columbians, and after the next general election [’li guarantee we will be in the house.”’ Lee said during his trip to the North Shore he was able to visit all See Socrads Page 4 NEWS photo Mike Wakefleld PARTY MEMBERS listen to Liberal leader Art Lee during the Liberal Party General Meeting held at the group’s North Shore activity centre. Lee told the audience Tuesday night that the party was being rejuvenated, 3 - Friday, February 28, 1986 - North Shore News Plumber . sparks fire A PLUMBER acing. a ‘toreh to heat aa apartment ‘laundry room tap ; ‘fot more than he bargained. for when tint from, the dryer caught on vTThe “North: Vancouver Fire Department. extinguished the fire, at 228 East ‘15th Street. oe The’ heat from ‘the tap ied ‘he _ behind the wall: ; ‘The fire. was. not ‘visible, Because it jail Monday: ycouver Pro-'- convicted on ‘The ‘chi and. anothe mat ja, with three blotters of what | Diethylamide (LSD). another North’ Vancouver man;:": cee : A week fater, police further charged Skidmore. w ne ‘one count ‘of assault, following en alleged f dent involving the accused and a woman. : “TT Appearing before North: Vancouver provi _ Shaw, Skidmore was put over to. March § to :