SCHOOL PROGRAMS MIGHT NOT GET THE AXE AFTERALL

The likelihood of lost school board funding shouldn't sound the immediate
death knell of three popular programs for Halton students.

However, it likely means organizers of those programs will have to scramble
to make up the difference or perhaps scale back what's offered in schools.

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) initiative for grade 6s, and the
Celebrating Literacy and Food For Thought snack and breakfast programs for
elementary schools may lose significant funding.

Halton District School Board staff announced last week they're recommending
the three programs have their combined funding removed as a cost-saving
measure and it's unknown if more education funding announced by the
provincial government Friday will make a difference.

The board paid out $125,000 in those areas this school year.

Halton Regional Police, which administers the DARE program, and the Halton
Social Planning Council, which oversees Celebrating Literacy and Food For
Thought, are understandably concerned about the school board's intentions
and the possible after effects.

"When schools have to cut loose a resource like this it is a tragedy. I
would say we regret what is happening to education in our community," said
planning council executive director Joey Edwardh.

"Whatever the reason for it, hungry kids don't learn well." The Food For
Thought program, ironically, expanded by three Halton schools just last
week to more than 20 across the region.

"Right now, (we) are not an organization that has its own resources, it
leverages resources. Very basic funding ($90,000 for each of the last two
years) was given by the board that allows us to leverage funds in the
community. That's the chunk that keeps it alive," she said.

"We have to turn this challenge back to our community. Nobody wants this
program to disappear. We'll convene some meetings and see if we can develop
some interim funding."

The hundreds of parent volunteers associated with the two programs affected
will be notified of the situation, said Ms Edwardh.

As for the fate of DARE, Halton police Sgt. Joe Prasad, co-ordinator of the
program, also said he wasn't sure what will happen if the $80,000 in public
school board money is lost.

"Obviously, we're disappointed and we'll have to see where we go from here.
We are at the crossroads with this knowledge. The chief strongly believes
we need officers in the schools as a proactive stance. Every grade 6 child
in the public and Catholic boards in Halton is exposed to it."

Sgt. Prasad said the program costs half a million dollars to run annually.

The DARE Halton fundraising committee generates much of the funding, such
as via an annual golf tourney, while the Halton Catholic District School
Board donated about $75,000 this year, he said.

Halton police cover about 40 per cent of DARE's costs.

"We have a specific fundraising committee. We'll have to visit large
corporations and ask for help," Sgt. Prasad said of a probable initial plan
of action.

Will maintain funding

One piece of good news for DARE is that the Catholic board has no immediate
intention of altering its funding commitment.

"We were aware that the (public) board was considering reducing its support
for this program," said Catholic board Business Superintendent Joe Birett.

"Although we discussed the merits of doing that, we didn't feel that was an
appropriate thing to do until we knew what the funding was and what the
total balance was on the budget."

The Catholic school board's budget has yet to be approved.

The DARE program 'graduates' about 5,000 students each year, said Sgt. Prasad.

A police officer comes into a grade 6 class for one hour per week for 16
weeks. Pupils have to write an essay along the way.

A 'graduating' ceremony attended by parents and senior police officials is
held at the end of the program.

The provincial government announced Friday that it would be providing $350
million in additional funding for Ontario school boards next year.

The board is in the midst of tense budget deliberations and expects to have
trouble staying within its means, so it has identified areas where savings
can be made.

Board officials continue to harp about what they say is the inadequacy of
the provincial government's education funding formula.