Friday, February 28, 1997 — North Shore News - 3 istrict 44 approves referendum N. Vancouver schools seek support for high tech funds By lan Noble News Reporter An unusual high-tech referendum for the North Vancouver school district is a go. Trustees voted 5-2 in favor of a $2 million referendum that would add approximately $53.15 to the average tax bill for dis- trict and city residents if endorsed by voters Lively debate at 4 board meeting Tuesday night greeted the novel idea of a referendum, which is slated to raise funds to pay for a provincial government-mandated program to improve technology in North Vancouver schools. That program is expected to cost the school district $11 mil- lion over five years, but trustees aren’t holding their breath waiting for the government to cough up that cash. Instead, they hope to raise money to kick-start the program through the referendum. Said newly elected trustce Tim Morrison: “The reality of 1997 is thar the provincial government is clearly underfunding our abilities to prepare our students for the 21st century. The reality of 1997 is that asking for a one-time average of $50 per household to ensure that our students survive in the 21st cen- tury is not unreasonable.” Board chairman Guy Heywood spoke in favor of the pian, saying the referendum is a chance for the school board to re- establish itseif as a relevant level of government. He acknowledged that the board is going against every trend in public finance. But he argued education should get a higher priority than it’s been getting. The referendum, he said, is “a way to get the eduction sys- tem North Vancouver deserves, rather than the one Victoria has tried to beat it down to.” “ Accotding..to school address the ‘followtng ‘Victoria's technology p ictoria-mandated ‘tech: - Meanwhile, trustees Marg Jessup and Deborah Kitson opposed the referendum. Jessup noted North Vancouver taxpayers already face a hike in municipal taxes from federal and provincial off-loading. Instead of a referendum, she said, the district should pres- sure the provincial government to provide the money for a pro- grarn it demands. “if we ask the people to come up with yet another increase in tax rate, I really question that. I don’t support it,” she said. Kitson, who called the current technology now in the dis- trict a hodge podge, said a proper technology plan for the school district is nceded before the board goes to referendum. Although the $2 million referendum was supported, an NV bus loop scuffle leads to nasty words By Robert Galster News Reporter A scuffle near the 5eaBus terminal last Sunday took an ugly turn when three bus drivers entered the fray to break it up, but ended up punctuating the event with racial undertones. One of the combatants, Samiko Reuner, 12, was struck in the face and left with a cut lip and chipped tooth. However, her injuries were not sustained at the hands of her original opponent. B.C. Transit spokesman ‘Trace Acres said two male operators were busy breaking up the fight when an unidentified third person hit the girl. But Robert Reuner, the giri’s black 15-vear-old brother, related ar entirely different tale. “It’s questionable whether the operator should have made the comment. It’s not something we would want one of our employees to say.” ~ B.C. Transit spokesman Trace Acres atienipt by trustee Par Heal to increase the amount to $3 ril- ron was defeated. A public meeting on the referendum will be held before the vote. A referendum will cost the school district bernween $30,000 and $35,000. Polling stations would likely be set up at the seven secondary schools in North Vancouver, said board administrators. District assistant superintendent Paul Killeen said the $2 million would go to hardware, software and training for svaff. A successful referendum would add $1.76 to homeowners’ tax bill for every $10,000 of assessed valuc. Meanwhile, education ministry spokesman Dianne MacDougall said the provincial government funds technology. In 1996-97, the targeted technology grant for schoo} district 44 was $285,762. The contribution to technology will contin- ue at 1996-97 fevels for next year, said the province Wednesday. In addition, the district can use part of its per pupil grant for technology. The government points to funding for North Vancouver school district that has increased 16.2% while the district’s enrolment has jumped 1}.3% over the past six years. Of the district’s nearly $104.8 million in budgeted expendi- tures, $94.4 million goes to employee salaries and benefits. Much of that spending is dictated by a teachers’ collective agreement that the provincial government bargains, Heywood said. He added that the government has “straitjacketed” the dis- trict with the contract. Money cannot be taken from that cate- gory to pay for technology, Heywood said. The district’s budget for 1996-97 year is balanced. In Sunday’s News Editor Michael Becker will take a look at the information technology in place at two schools on the North Shore. In West Vancouver the new Rockridge middle school is at the fore- Sront of what is possible. At Carson Graham secondary school in North Vancouver, parents and educators are working bard to get up to speed. “They don’t use physical furce to break up a 12-year-old,” said Reuner. He said he saw one of the drivers break up the fight his sister was embroiled in and then saw him punch her shortly thereafter, What followed is again subject to two very different interpretations. € See Transit page 18 Scout celebration SCOUTS, cubs, beavers, brownies and sparks took to the streets last weekend as they marched, with candle lanterns in hand, up Lonsdale to celebrate 90 years of scouting in Native care cut concerns From page 1 In mid-January, the band chairman was pre- sented with a 159-name petition by the Home makers of the Squamish Nation opposed to the cuts to 24-hour care. “It is extremely unfair to give an elder 24- hour care and then to take it away, after they have become dependent on the system,” stares the covering letter with the petition. “The decisions and choices that our elected Chief and Council make should reflect the wish- es of our Nation and our respected elders.” The Squamish Band councii takes in more than $20 million every year, according to band members. The petition cover letter went on to say that if Williams wanted to cut expenditures, he should begin by cutting 10 listed items relating to alleged misuse of band council expenses. Concerned band members contacted by the News declined to be named, saving they were fearful of retribution from the band council. The band members stated that the elders affected by the cuts had contributed their carly lives to their people for free with the belief that they, in turn, would be cared for by their people in old age. Williams stated in his letter that the adult in- home care program began in 1986 to provide “some assistance” for a “few sick or disabled members.” That assistance included home care consisting, of cooking and cleaning and personal care con- sisting of bathing and dressing. Williams said the program moved away from its intended goui dur- ing the last 10 years. Meanwhile band members also expressed concerns that full native self-government would leave them without any options under an entrenched band council. Band council member Donna Billy phoned the News on Wednesday stating that the band chairman directed her to return a call. “Where did you get your information from? I'm just curious that is all,” said Billy. “I don’t think this should be going into the North Shore News newspaper,” said Billy. Billy said she is on the North Shore Health Board. Billy declined to speak over the phone about the issue. Billy was gone for the day when the News arrived for 3 pre-arranged mecting Wednesday afternoon at the Squamish Nation Council office in the 300-block of Seymour Boulevard. Like Williams, Billy was at the treaty confer- ence and unavailable on Thursday. The Squamish Nation has about 2,500 band members. The reserve land contains waterfront property in North and West Vancouver. Squamish Nation council members have been involved in high-profile costly projects such as a proposed First Narrows crossing, interest: in establishing gambling casinos and building com- mercial golf driving ranges on reserve land. w Bright Lights. @ Crossword. @ Inquiring Reporter............. 12 @ Lautens Mitchel... @ North Shore Alert. w Real Estate. | ge Taiking Personals. North Shore News, founded in 1969 ss an indepen- dent suburban newspaper and qualified under i Schedule 111, Paragraph S1¢ of the Excise Tee Act, is | published cach Wedoesday, Fnday snd Sunday by North Shore Free Press Ltd and disinbuted to every dear on the North Share. Canada Fest Canadian Publications Maiti Sales Product Agreement Nu. HOK7238. Masting rates available on request