FRIDAY
S I N C E
1 8 9 5
APRIL 27, 2012
Celebrating 50th anniversary of Allan Cup win
Vol. 117, Issue 82
110
$
Page 2
INCLUDING H.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF
ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALM SALMO
Proposed school district cuts draws backlash BY TIMOTHY SCHAFER Times Staff
Within the line items and numbers of any budget stand the people. It is the people that make up the reality of any financial document, and on Wednesday night the people most affected by the budget of School District 20 stood up and spoke at a public meeting on the proposed plan at Trail Middle School. Around 40 people, including union representatives and teachers, listened as superintendent of schools Greg Luterbach detailed proposed cut after cut needed to rein in the costs of the operation. When the axe stopped, it was revealed the district was threatening to cut nearly 14 full time equivalent jobs across the board in the coming year to deal with a $1.55 million operating shortfall. The proposed cuts to staff — including two teacher-librarians, almost eight teachers, three nonenrolling teacher staff, and one custodian — raised the ire of the crowd.
TIMOTHY SCHAFER PHOTO
Superintendent of Schools Greg Luterbach begins explanation of the proposed SD20 budget Wednesday night at Trail Middle School before 40 people. Cutting the teacher salaries meant the district would save $1.17 million in 2012/13, the largest chunk out of the $1.58 million in total cuts made. Andy Davidoff, Kootenay Columbia Teachers Union representative, referred to
the SD20 board’s guiding principle — that “Student learning drives our budget while recognizing the need to be sustainable and fiscally responsible” — and wondered why the board of trustees was keeping buildings over bodies.
“It looks like teachers and CUPE are bearing the brunt of the budget cuts and nothing is coming from administration that is significant at all, and that doesn’t seem to be fair,” he said. “And, unfortunately, the people that impart that
learning are taking the largest cut, over $1 million.” Board chair Darrel Ganzert said there would be motions moving forward about facilities at the next board meeting — where the proposed budget would undergo its first two readings on the way to being adopted. With custodial staff possibly being cut from 12-month to 11-month employees, and the district expecting to save $113,841, CUPE Local 1285 shop steward Darlene Schultz stood up. “You can expect to pay that much money and more through arbitration because we feel our members have the right to the 12-month positions that they have, and there is significant jurisprudence on that,” she said. “It is, in our opinion, discriminatory and it will be fought, right to the wall.” Roger Smith, who has spent the last 23 years working with the district as a custodian, agreed. He pointed to case law that says their jobs are set
See STUDENT, Page 3
Proposed reductions and revenue generation items Libraries • reduce elementary teacher-librarians by two full-time equivalent (FTE) - $184,508 Non-enrolling teacher staff • eliminate math teacher at elementary by two FTE - $184,508 • eliminate literacy lead teacher at secondary by .714 FTE - $65,867 Teacher staffing • adjust secondary class sizes from 24 to 25 for a 2.428 FTE reduction - $223,983 • eliminate staffing dedicated to virtual school by .286 FTE - $26,395 • classroom organization based on elimination of required district averages at kindergarten and primary by 5.375 FTE - $495,865 Clerical support staff • clerical/library assistants reduced by 21 hours per week - $23,530 • restructure CUPE callout and rentals by five hours per week - $7,589 Custodial • reduce high school service levels for custodial by one FTE - $43,319 • change custodians from 12 month to 11-month employees - $113,841 Facilities • remove all SD20 staff and funding from Blueberry Creek Community School - $20,000 • Sell Sunningdale School and save utility costs - $10,000 Service and supplies • eliminate regional Pro-D contractor - $6,000 • eliminate grant to Education Heritage Society - $2,500 District administration • eliminate vice principal position at Glenmerry - $24,194 More on Page 3
SUNDAY AT GYRO PARK
MS Walk raises public’s awareness Rossland family overcomes challenges BY BREANNE MASSEY Times Staff
BREANNE MASSEY PHOTO
From the left; Alison, Deanie and Rebecca Worsfold might not agree about everything, but the MS Walk is an initiative that they’re all proud to support.
Deanie Worsfold spent 38 years sick and she didn’t know why. Worsfold, 52, was intimidated by a series of strange symptoms— when she moved her head a tingling sensation would shoot up her spine, and her hands were always shaking. Twenty years later, when she gave birth to her second daughter,
her answer arrived. “My doctor could never figure out what was wrong with me,” said Worsfold. “But, when I gave birth to Rebecca—both of my feet went numb. So, I went to a neurologist and they said I either had a brain tumor or MS.” She was diagnosed with an incurable disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). The rest of the world would have been mortified, but Worsfold said she felt relieved. “I finally knew what was wrong,” she said.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. It can cause loss of balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis. On Sunday, the MS Walk to raise awareness of the debilitating disease will take place in Gyro Park. Participants can register or drop off pledges at the Kiwanis
pancake breakfast with live entertainment at 9 a.m. The three-andfive-kilometer walking routes will provide water stations along the way, and the event will close with final remarks about the fundraising initiatives. Worsfold acknowledges the challenges of living with MS, and she is eager—along with daughters Rebecca and Alison—to participate in the walk for MS on Sunday. According to the MS Society of Canada, finding a cure means
We’ve been helping families just like yours in communities all across Canada, since 1984.
See FAMILY, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: 250-368-8551 Fax: 250-368-8550 Newsroom: 250-364-1242
When you really care, it really shows. At We Care, we customize our services to meet individual needs, whether it involves a few hours a week or around-the-clock care. Our compassionate caregivers offer a wide range of services - everything from help with medications to support with the everyday things that allow you to live independently.
something different to everybody. For some people it means stopping MS symptoms, while others who have lived with the disease longer, simply want a solution to repair their nervous system and regain the abilities that they once had. It’s a long and scary road to tread. People suffering from MS have raised red flags about their loss of mobility, an intolerance to heat and difficulty swallowing, just to name a few.
Call us for free in home needs assessment. Servicing West Kootenay/Boundary
1-877-719-4166 wecare.ca
PERSONAL CARE • HOME MAKING • COMPANION SERVICES • NURSING • FOOT CARE • PEDIATRIC CARE • LIVE-IN CARE • CAREGIVER RELIEF • ACCOMPANIED VISITS