Freedom Flyer 29

The Middlesex County Board of Education has been granted a 2.5 percent increase in levies coming through the front door. Given the low level of inflation, our representatives deserve credit. Or do they?

What about the $1,182,626 from the federal infrastructure program? (Source: June 15, 1994 and Oct. 11, 1994 news release - CanadaOntario Infrastructure Works)? Thus, with a $32,880,217 (Source: The Middlesex County Board of Education) 1995 tax requisition and the back door money, the 2.5 percent increase is actually a 6.2 percent hike. This is unacceptable.

Many of the Middlesex ratepayers are farmers who have struggled with a decrease in commodity prices over the last decade. At the same time, education rates increased 18.97 percent in 1990, 7 percent in 1991, 8.13 percent in 1992. This is made worse when noting that property taxes are a key determinant in assessing education levies.

As for the teachers federation wish for a 9.3 percent (13 percent) increase, they must enjoy playing chicken. The taxophobic general public is fed up. Support for the 13 percent increase was also endorsed from the president of the Women Teachers Association. How do education rates transpire into a woman's issue?

Why has funding for education increased so drastically? Annexation is used as a common scapegoat. No doubt, annexation has made things more difficult for the short term. But why the pre-annexation increase is 18.97 percent in 1990? The school board is loaded with more excuses than a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

Did the summation of quality of education, inflation, and level of enrollment warrant an 18.97 percent hike? Inflation was around two percent. enrollment was virtually constant. Thus, the question is did the quality of education increase by 17 percent? Absolutely not. Attempts to quantify the quality of education are forbidden. Comparisons between schools and school boards are outlawed because the teachers unions may get upset when they have to face a dose of reality. What needs to be done?

First, a complete repeal of the NDP labor law and a claw back of any previous damaging laws. It should be an employer's work ethic and standards that determine who gets hired and who gets fired, not their union card or years of seniority. Hire the best, fire the rest.

Second, school boards must be more open. The fax I received from the Middlesex County Board of Education on past tax requisitions stated, "Confidential Notice: ...any disclosure, copying, or distribution of the information, or taking of action in reliance on it, is strictly prohibited by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act..." It's a sad day when our public institutions have overstepped their bounds and whined to Iobbyists and politicians to enact such ridiculous legislation. We paid for it, we have every right to know.