Friday, March 19, 2021 • Vol.125 No. 34 • Neepawa, Manitoba
CDC Arborg Oats
Wanting to BUY, SELL or INVEST…. Let’s make REALTY dreams a REALITY!
FEATURED SILAGE CORN HYBRID - 2200 Heat Units - Excellent silage hybrid with good Goss’ wilt resistance rating - Very good stalk and root strength scores
High yielding milling oat with heavy bushel weight Good lodging with taller straw; also suitable for hay Accepted by most millers in MB/SK
Troy Mutch 204.212.1010
CourtSeeds
Plumas, MB courtseeds@gmail.com courtseeds.ca 204-386-2354
chris.kulbacki@plantpioneer.com 204-966-3245 or 204-476-6449
Inside this week
Prairie Mountain
neepawa
Banner & Press Locally owned and operated
EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED
Rosemary Parrott
204.212.5037 rosemaryparrott@remax.net
Page 11 Welcome to Neepawa
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO CONTACT ME IF YOU ARE READY TO BUY OR SELL A HOME, FARM OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
School Division revision Massive overhaul to Manitoba’s education system announced
Banner Staff
Neepawa Banner & Press
The province’s education system is about to go through some sweeping structural changes. On Monday, Mar. 15, education minister Cliff Cullen unveiled the results of a much-anticipated report outlining proposed modifications to Kindergarten to Grade 12 education. The most notable suggestion made will see the removal of elected school boards, except for the Francophone school division. They will be replaced with a government-appointed provincial advisory board and community councils for each school. The advisory council will consist of between six and 11 people. At least two of the members must be the parents of current public school students. Manitoba’s 37 school divisions would also be replaced with 15 regions, that will be overseen by a “Provincial Education
Authority”. The Authority will be made up of appointed members and take over the bulk of administrative responsibilities, including collective bargaining, IT resources and workforce planning. This new education model has been outlined in Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act, which was put before the legislature on Mar. 15. The hope is to have these infrastructure changes completed by July of 2022. Cullen noted that, if approved, this shift in education is aimed at cutting $40 million in administration costs and redirecting that money to the classrooms. “Our system has more (school board) trustees per capita than anywhere else in Canada. Our administration expenses as a percentage of costs are higher than most other provinces,” Cullen said. The shift in education is in reaction to Manitoba having some of the lowest results in math and literacy in the country. “The time for excuses
Since 1988
204-476-3636
PHOTO BY EOIN DEVEREUX
One of the most notable changes that will be occurring due to the Better Education Starts Today (BEST) strategy, announced on Monday, Mar. 15 by education minister Cliff Cullen, is the end of all school divisions, such as Beautiful Plains (pictured). All 37 school divisions will be replaced with 15 regions.
about still being mediocre are over,” said Cullen. Swift reaction from MB Teachers Society The Manitoba Teachers’ Society (MTS) has expressed concern with
the plan, indicating that it hasn’t thoroughly addressed one of the biggest issue students deal it. “There’s a lot of speaking to outcomes and achievements and assessments and test scores, but we know
that unless you address child poverty issues first, there’s no need to start looking at all of those other things,” said MTS v ice president Nathan Martindale. The Manitoba Teach-
COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE • Laptops • Virus & Spyware Removal
• Desktops • Custom Built Computers
• All Major Brands
• OEM only (No Refurbs)
PRINTER INK & TONER
ers’ Society also expressed serious concern on the removal of principals and vice principals from the Society. Additional stories on the announcement on Page 2
• Wireless • Internet • TV • Home Phone