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By Terry James increased. While the provâ€" The live birth rate is dee ince gradually became clining. The country is aware of the decline the facing a zero population Waterloo County board‘s growth . and _ sometime, . problem was still not visible somewhere the effects and it leaped out at them are going to be felt. As far â€" for the first time this year. as school boards in Onâ€" ‘"Parents â€" who _ comâ€" tario are concerned, they municated concern asked are feeling the effects now _ uS why we didn‘t know in terms of an increasing decline in enrolment â€" at both the elementary and secondary school levels. _The â€" Waterloo â€" County Board of Education is no exception. This fall they experienced â€" a _ shortfall in their enrolment , preâ€" diction of 404 students at the elementary level. Alâ€" though the disruption was kept to a minimum, the shortfall resulted in the reâ€"organization of some elementary _ schools and the withdrawing of seven teachers from their original assignments. ‘"This is not a serious decline,"~ _ said _ William Townshend superintenâ€" dent of operations. "But it is a warning that we are in a declining situation at the elementary level." Five of the seven teachâ€" ers affected have been placed in permanent posâ€" itions and the remaining two are expected to be withâ€" in the next few weeks. In the meantime they are acting in the capacity of supply teachers. Mr. Townshend said contrary to what the public may think, it is not a case of carâ€" rying these teachers unâ€" assigned. Declining enrolment in the province began in 1971. Mr. Townshend said it was masked to a degree because the overall enrolâ€" ment of the elementary Declining enrolment being felt by School boards The Regional Police force is not the direct responsibility of Regional Council but the Police Commission, which consists of two members of Regional Council along with three commissioners appointed by the Province of Ontario. Regional Police Headquarters are located at 134 Frederick Street, Kitchener, with the following detachments throughout the Region: #1 Detachment â€" Kitchener #2 Detachment â€" Cambridge (Galt) #3 Detachment â€" Waterloo #4 Detachment â€" Cambridge (Preston) #6 Detachment â€" Elmira #7 Detachment â€" New Hamburg The Regional Police force is linked to all other Police organizations, both Canadian and International, through a computerized information system. In addition to regular and special police duties, other activities include the Block Parent Program, School Safety Patrols, and an extensive school safety education program. Further information can be obtained by calling 579â€"2211 or 621â€"2121. Emergency Telephone Number â€" 911 This number is to be used from any telephone in the Region to call for emergency help 911 secondary school has ) »Person to Person Reggie Loo Speaks Out with Waterloo Regional Government Police Fire Ambulance WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE ‘‘Parents who _ comâ€" municated concern asked us why we didn‘t know about the shortfall," said Mr. Townshend. ‘"We apâ€" preciate â€" their _ wonderâ€" ment but by the end of June we had indicated the enrolment projection into next year and we forecast growth. The slowing down of real estate sales could not be foreseen. Some stuâ€" dents moved during the summer with no indication of this likelihood. We were not aware of our los til the school opening.~ Kindergarten â€" enrolment has declined slightly over the past three years. If the entry into the elemenâ€" tary system is declining then the overall enrolment is bound to show a decline said Mr. Townshend. He is convinced that Waterloo County‘s degree of decline is not likely to meet the severity of other areas. He said this area will always attract â€" immigrants _ and migrants. What is being done to remedy the situation? At the provincial level a oneâ€" man~ â€" commission has been appointed to inquire into the problems caused by declining school enrolâ€" ments in Ontario and to report and make recomâ€" mendations to the Minister of Education. Dr. W.B. Jackson forms the Jackâ€" son Commission. On Aug. 24 the comâ€" mission was started and is just in the preliminary stages of fact finding. In February a preliminary No. 7 in a series unâ€" report based on data colâ€" lected from board trustees, municipal representatives upon and make recommenâ€" dations ‘on the effect of declining enrolments on school accommodation, the ability of school boards to continue to provide a broad range of programs, in cluding the provision of special education programs and second language inâ€" struction and the demand for _ qualified _ teachers, supervisory â€" officers and their education. It will also look into the effects on policies of school boards respecting _ administrative organization, staffing and conditions of employment and the cost implications for the _ implementation of any course of action ‘The Jackson Commission service charges much as you do. Commissionâ€"free travellers cheques. Free service on payment of utility bills (except in B.C.). Free certification of cheques. 3 Free stop payment orders. Free transfers of funds between Royal Trust accounts. And, even better than getting something for nothing, we give you a high rate of interest on your savings when you open a Blue Chip Savings Aocgl‘mt. _ . o ns e enr aaisss But these are just some of the many ways we do more for your money. We offer a wide range of financial services. From savings and chequing accounts. To total investment management. So drop in and see us. See what we can do for you. Which is why we offer you absolutely unlimited free personal che«iuing. No minimum balance. No strings attached. And here‘s what else we give you free. â€" ber, will assess the method used in securing data and review â€" data â€" submitted. A second task force has ~concerned itself with the aspect of finance as it reâ€" lates to decline. Dr. Cice What does the future hold for education in Waterâ€" loo County? For one thing the cost is not likely to go down. ly Watson, chairman of the Department of Educaâ€" tion planning for the Onâ€" tario Institute of Studies, brought together this repâ€" resentative group of perâ€" sonnel. Mr. Townshend said the commission is not taking a narrow view of the problem. He believes they are looking _ realistically _ at many of the implications. **People say the costs Fn;m;p;mtmg of your cheques with your name and Royal Trust : OPEN SATURDAYS 100 King Street South, Waterloo _ 886â€"0210 105 King Street East, Kitchener _ 578â€"6900 73 King Street West, Kitchener 579â€"3000 88 St. George‘s Square, Guelph 821â€"5740 j by the comâ€" Waterion Chranicle, Wednesday , October 26, 1977 â€" Page 9 & logical conclusion if you have fewer students but and â€" financial â€" resources. tracting situation from the being presented over an exâ€" are to be met certain things must be acquired." Mr. Townshend cited the needs of exceptional children, _ children _ with learning .disabilities and gifted children. He said the province is reducing their financial support despite the fact costs are rising; therefore the burden falls more squarely at the local level. The crunch is more visible locally. "In a contracting situaâ€" tion the tendency over history has been to standardâ€" ost as The superintendent preâ€" dicts the disappearance of should be able to walk to school. He said it will be difficult for the public to accept but existing facilities must be used to their caâ€" pacity as opposed to conâ€" ing in this direction. *"Where student enrolâ€" ment is stable enough to suggest a longâ€"term need, new accommodations are built," said Mr. Townâ€" shend. p . He said this generally refers to new â€" developâ€" have declined and will continue to do so over the next 10 years. is already shiftâ€"