_ 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