14 — Sunday, March 2, 1997 — North Shore News Funding inequities From page 3 Raising funds for their children’s needs at school is nothing new for the families. Said Pimlot, “Every school is having co tund-raise for something. Last vear we had a dance at Capilano to raise money for paper! Isn’t that a pathetic thing?” The parents view their role as school fundraisers as neces- sary, but at the end of the day it’s only a band-aid solution. The cash earned from the auction, for example, might pay for 10 computers. Pimlott, “I think from the day our kids got into school we've been scratching and fighting to get an education for them. I think we've got eat teachers in North Van, ut the funding is so unequal between the districts and provincially. “We have to do this (raise funds) just to get the funda- mentals of an education and that’s so unfair,” she said. Hird’s experience has shown that it’s easier to mot- vate parents to raise money at the elementary school level. Her child at Capilano elemen- tary has ready access to com- puters but she’s not sold on the real benefit of the technol- ogy at that level. “I think the kids are play- ing on them more than anv- thing. In the elementary schoo! people will fund-raise until the day is done. You get up into high schvol and nobedy wants tw help. This is a time when they (students) need it the most.” Speaking strictly as a tax- payer Hird believes she shouldn't have to step in to fill the school funding gap. “If you counted up the hours that our committee put into this auction ... If we donated our hours, we would have raised a lot more than $25,000,” she said. Pimlott agrees. “We're doing it for the love of our kids. I. don’t think it’s our job to do it. I think it’s the gov- ernment’s job to take another look at the funding issuc. Equitable funding is the basis of the whole issue. We're doing it because we want our kids to have an equal advan- tage.” Pimlott looks to a school like Rockridge in West Vancouver, on the bleeding edge of what can be done when enough money is poured into technology, and sces stu- dents better positioned to be successful upon graduation. “It happens to be the school with the best equip- ment. Those kids have a big advantage, and all the power to them, but they happen to live in thar catchment: area. My kids happen to live in this catchment area. How fair is thae”™ Hird and Pimlott graduat- ed in 1973 at Carson Graham. The school was new in 1965. Said Hird, “It was always getting rave reviews about what was there and what was available. Really T guess in those days we were like Rockridge.” Pimlott said she received “a good, basic education” in her time. When they passed through the halls of Carson, their par- ents did not have to raise funds to support their education. Said Hird, “They didn’: need to be there. They knew when they were paying their taxes where that money went. We now pay it and we’re not getting back what we pay into it. Added Pimiotr, “I think these kids (her contemporary counterparts at Carson Graham) have tons of oppor- tunity and they're getting quality with what is available to them, but really believe there is more opportunity that they’re not getting because of lack of funding.” VANCOUVER: 929 Granville Street. 685-8471 * 1 Hour FREE Parking behind building 5 Begins Mer 22 “4-6 Students per. one. hour session 15 Sey 987-8630 (ist east-of mae #1 L * Weekday 90 Madness) “> gil march 15°97 mour Bivd. | North Vancouver Enter oft Mt Seymour Phuy- Open Sam. 9pm GENUINE LA-Z-BOY® RECLINERS Sale priced from $399 Discover the styling and contouring that makes you feel comfortable in casual classic or contemporary styles that work in any room, man-sized to petite - proportioned. An important selection! Gerber Home Furnishings invites you to join our celebration of style and savings! And see our fashionable family of La-Z-Boy* home furnishings shown the way you'll love to use them, in beautiful complete room settings! GALLERY GRAND OPENING! SERVICES Our new La-Z-Boy® Gallery... + Invites you to shop in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere + Helps you with professional advice + Weicomes Visa and MasterCard + Offers convenient layaway plans STORE HOURS « Shop daily 9:30 ‘til 5:30 + Friday 9:30 ‘tit 9:00 Sunday closed SLEEP SOFAS Saie priced from $999 Country cozy. Classically dressed. Casually informal. tn exciting fabrics with condo to queen-size hidden beds. Canadian Home ' Collection and (Gi (i) SOFAS Gg : Sale priced from $899 A stunning collection of profiles that brighten up any interior. In today’s fresh colors and exciting new fabrics. LA-Z-BOY® FULL RECLINE $1049 Clean contemporary styling that cores ready to comfort youl! Two including ends operate independently with hidden release tevers. Other styles available. GERBER HOME FURNISHINGS L A ‘Z-BOY — 734 WEST 14TH STREET NORTH VANCOUVER, B-C. - Same Biock as. Fanny’ 8 Fabrics: sale priced from