Forging communication links with all sectors of the community is the goal of newlyâ€"elected Waterloo County Board of Education Chairman Elizabeth Witmer, shown here with viceâ€"chairman Ted Clare of Cambridge. It is when she is at the heartbeat of an organization that Anne Marie Sehl feels she works at her optimum level. During the next year, at the helm of the Waterioo County Separate School Board, Sehl plans to devote 100 per cent of her time and energy to ensure a smooth implementation of extended funding to the system. ‘‘Getting into place all} the ingredients that go with the shortâ€"term transition (to full funding) will take me the whole year and to the best of my ability, I am freeing myself up to devote myself to that," she said. Sehl was elected chairman of the board at the Dec. 3 inaugural meeting. Although there is much work to be done, Sehl, a trustee representing Waterloo since 1970, admits that she is looking forward to the challenges. Since the June 12 announcement by Premier William Davis that the Ontario government would extend funding throughout the separate system, various committees of the local board have been working behind the scenes to draft a basic statement of philosophy, strategy for implementing the changes and to identify future needs in terms of facilities, program, staff and equipment. A report on longâ€"term program and facility needs will also be completed early next year and Sehl expects that one area of focus will be plans for a new Pat Arbuckle Chronicle Staft (New and Nearty New Consignment Shop) 14 Church St. (near Queen), Kitchener ; 7448811 Mon.â€"Set. 10 am.5:30pm.;fri.6pm. _ , NEW HOLIDAY DRESSES All sold at a fraction of the original price Also Fur Coats and Campus Furs Mink, Muskrat, Alaska Seal, Lynx. Beaver, etc WANTED FOR RESALE Fur Ceats and Student Furs FUR SALE Preserving integrity and Catholic character â€" vital concerns: Sehl . Attention Ladies! (No Bieck Porsian) In a Nov. 12 policy statement, Director Frank Clifford announced that Grade 11 would be offered next year at St. David‘s junior high school in Waterloo and St. Benedict‘s in Cambridge. Since then, a number of information meetings have been held with parents to make them aware of courses and options that will be available to them next year, Sehi said. ‘*At this point, I feel every assurance that the parents of Waterioo are abreast of the (philosophy) committee," she said This week, the board will be seeking Describing both the public and separate additional input through a general survey _ school boards in Waterioo County as Essential to the statement, she feels, will be the board‘s commitment "to keep balance and strive for a faith base" while *"‘*meeting the times and needs with quality education.‘" *"*As Catholic trustees, anything less than the preservation of the integrity and Catholic character of our schools would not be fulfilling the mission of our being Catholic trustees" she explained. At the same time, Sehl said she is committed to keeping lines of communication open with staff, students and parents to let them know what changes are being contemplated. Catholic high school to be built in Waterioo‘s Beechwood West subdivision As a member of the philosophy committee, Sehl has been working to condense mountains of material in the board office into a simple statement of Mom‘s "Little Darling‘s" Fashions ..« K2 Quality Used Infants & Children‘s Clothing (Infants To Size 14) Pat Arbuckie photos ‘*In terms of communicating, my personal goal is to establish open and responsive communications with our entire community. We must reach out to all of our constituents â€" parent and nonâ€"parent, the young and notâ€"soâ€"young, labor, business, industry. other municipalities and other educational jurisdictions," she said. Faced with the upcoming challenges of setting the 1985 budget, implications of full funding to separate school boards and the implementation of OSIS (a provincial government policy that requires high school students to complete a higher number of credits to graduate), Witmer reminded trustees that their chief In her inaugural address to trustees, Witmer praised outgoing chairman Twyla Hendry for her strong leadership and attention to detail, pledging to continue the open door policy Hendry initiated one year ago. Witmer, a Waterioo trustee since 1980, was elected in an uncontested vote at Thursday‘s Inaugural meeting of the public school board. Trustee Ted Clare of Cambridge was chosen as viceâ€"chairman. Opening lines of communication with government, business and every sector of the community will be the goal of Waterloo County Board of Education‘s new chairman Elizabeth Witmer. Chronicle Staff looking forward to the challenges of the coming year as extended funding to the system is implemented. to be sent to all parents with children in *‘leaders in quality education," Sehi said the separate system. she is committed to continue the Sehl said the survey will focus on such areas as program, transportation, school uniforms and facilities. Waterioo County Separate School Board Chairman Anne Marie Sehi is Strive for excellence in public education, says chairman Witmer 560 Mount Anne Your top priority is to save Time and Money. Please call me for a contig¢ent and honest service sat 885â€"6190 or 886â€"0499 representing responsibility is to their students A former high school teacher, Witmer has served on a host of board committees and as chairman of the program, early school leaving and the school accommodation review committees. **... Our number one priority is to build and safeguard a public education system that, to the best of its ability, strives for excellence and prepares young people for the good and the tough times of life ... a system that caters to learners of every age and experience," she said. She also pledged on behalf of the board to continue the spirit of coâ€"operation that has existed between the local public and separate school boards as full funding to Roman Catholic schools comes into effect. The board will remain committed, however, to meeting the needs of students within the public system, she added. In striking a new budget, Witmer promised to strive for a "balance" between responsible public spending and the development of sound programs and services. & **I feel confident that a budget of practical, responsible parameters can and will be developed without dangers to our system, albeit we may have to give up or curtail some current programs or services to achieve others deemed of higher priority," she said. *‘leaders in quality education," Sehi said she is committed to continue the co-operativvi;piri( which has characterized relations between the two boards. Mahion Roes Real Estate Ltd. Shopping for a HOME or Thinking of Selling? Are You