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Board of Education confirms tough budget Chronicle Staff As the largest employer in the Waterloo Region, the Waterloo County board of education has settled on a $244.1 million budget, translating to an 11.2 per cent increase in the education portion of Waterloo taxpayers‘ bills. Isobel Lawson Regionâ€"wide the average mill rate increase is 10.8 per cent. Last year‘s approved budget was $217.9 million. The board deliberated over figures for nearly three hours Thursday night before lowering the axe for the final time, snipping from French immersion materials, intermediate and high school curriculum material, furniture and equipment, and eliminating an automated library. At the same time, the board increased the elementary secretarial staff by about 10 and secondary staff by six, which can be equated to an increase of oneâ€"half secretary at each secondary institution. This will cost about $186,000 for the remaindér of the budget year. The orginial request was for 22 elementary amd 19 secondary secretaries. "This year had to be one of the most challenging budgets that 1 have personally had to deal with," said board chairman Elizabeth Witmer. Trustees were faced with difficult decisions determining levels of expenditures and the impact upon programs, she said, noting the decisions were not always unanimous when cuts had to be made. Gold Key Travel No membership 65 University Ave. E Waterioo Last minute specials ?QF?)r some, this will mean taking advantage of the very best prices on Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo‘s largest selection of HIâ€"END HOME AUDIO systems & components. _/ /FBr the rest, well, there‘s always next year. _ e SOUNDSTAGE‘S ANNUAL INVENTORY _ CLEARANCE SALE_ DON‘T MISS IT MAY 12â€"28 Mon., Tues., Wed., Sat. 10:30â€"5:30 Thurs. & Fri. until 8:30 At the same time Witmer took a jab at the provincial government for reducing its financial commitment to boards, requiring local taxpayers to pick up larger portions of the cost of education. While this is happening, she said, boards are being mandated to implement more governâ€" ment initiated programs, such as reduced classroom sizes, computer programs and mandatory provision of Grade 13 "These initiatives...are a clear indication of a movement that is a concern to all of us and that‘s a move to have more and more centralized decision making," she told trustees. Trustee John Hendry, said in an interview, he was satisfied with the board‘s budget. During the meetings Hendry voiced his concern that computers for special education not be cut from the budget. Special education computers as well as capital funding to improve facilities for the handicapped were left intact. Hendry cast the lone dissenting vote to a motion which will have $1.3 million taken from reserve funding to buy a computer for administration. Hendry said he supported the acquisition of the computer, however "what we‘re doing is covering up part of the costs of the computer." Personnel will have to be hired, as administration had earlier requested, to operate the system, and that is something the board made no provision for, Hendry said. He expects administration will return to the board and ask that some be hired. A friendship weekend, with a funâ€"filled Sunday, is being planned by the Waterloo Region Mental Health Association May 14 and 15. On Sunday, a fun day is planned for Bingeman Park with three and eight kilometre races beginning at 11 a.m. Registration is at 10.30 a.m. and the entry fee is two rolls of pennies which will be applied to the association‘s penny booth on the corner of King and Benton. Beginning at 3 p.m. is a variety show featuring three acts: ventriloquist/pupâ€" peteer Jim Pattison, unicylist and fire juggler Johnny Toronto, and magican Bishwambhar Dass. Tickets for the show are $5 per person or $1 upon purchasing a day pass. Events chairman Maria Scanga said the Kâ€"W friendship weekend is being closely watched across the country as the promotion is being used to develop the concept of a national friendship day. Saturday, friendship buttons are being sold at Fairview Mall. Those purchasing the $2.50 buttons will receive discounts at participating stores. Ontario Association of Professional Social Workers Midwestern Branch fi:“rfial Health pi‘éné Friendship Weekend Annual Meeting â€" Tues. May 17, 1988 VALHALLA INN, KITCHENER Dr. Beryl & Dr. Noam Chernick **Sex and Changing Positions‘‘ For tickets contact: Sandra Campbell, 744â€"2010 (daytime) Audrey Annett, 888â€"7257 (evening) before May 15/1988 / & 4 S 49 mt \l*a\""\oo