The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

The forecasts released Thursday are not etched in stone starting points for the finance committee and administ ‘a budget proposal in February. The next meeting of the board‘s finance committee is on Jan. 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the J.W. Singleton Education Centre, 2050 Guelph Line, Burlington. AT CHAPS BRONTE 5 idA nb ic ds sdsA d c 2 be very busy in February and march finalizing our 1995 budget. it is clear that even with improvement in the general state of the economy, downsizâ€" ing and expenditure reduction in the education sector will continue. We are faced with tough decisions in the next three years as our grants continue to decline and we exit the social contract." "The Ministry of Education and Training doesn‘t tell us what our exact grants will be until the end of March," said Lane. "This ‘means that we will be very busy in February and march finalizing our 1995 budget. it is clear "Treasurer Floyd Laughren‘s recent announcement that transfer payâ€" ments will be frozen is very misleading," said Oakville Ward 6 trustee Linda Lane, chair of the board‘s finance committee. "Because enrolments are increasing by over 2% provincially and because provincial grants are redirected from soâ€"called wealthier areas like Halton to less wealthy areas, the result is a large mill rate increase for Halton. This is a trend that we expect will continue for at least three years. It is unacceptable;e and our public doesn‘t understand the implications. We have a big job ahead of us." In its release, the board estimated provincial grants to Halton would decline by $6.2 million in 1995, $4.4 million in 1996, and $4.3 million in 1997. In addition social contract clawbacks will cut another $9.4 million. McNally said the provincial grant forecasts are based on worstâ€"case sceâ€" narios, but admitted, "Depending how severe things get in the federal budâ€" get and the trends in the economy, it could get worse." School budget flash: ‘end of social contract will see costs soar When the social contract expires, salary increments for all board employees â€" which had been frozen for the duration of the contract â€" will be implemented, according to Wayne McNally, superintendent of busiâ€" ness services. But the news gets worse for public school supporters. Thanks to the provincial grant system which sees money redirected from wealthier areas to poorer areas, school board officials are anticipating large mill rate increases ahead for Halton â€" even in 1995 when expendiâ€" tures will be cut by almost 1%. Board officials are currently looking at mill rate 1995, 6.13% in 1996 and 5.84% in 1997. In a press release issued Thursday, the school board announced the proâ€" jected $279.9â€"million budget in 1995 is expected to increase to $295.1â€"milâ€" lion by 1997. The extra $15.2â€"million represents a 5.4% increase. i The expenditure increases in 1996 and 1997 will be largely due to the end of the Ontario NDP government‘s social contract which is set to expire on March 31, 1996. Public School board supporters who were relieved to learn 1: that the Halton Board of Education planned to reduce its 199« budget by $2.7 million, may find their joy shortlived. December 26, 1994 E EVE DED *Full Dinner *Great Music Dancing *Door Prizes *Bubbly at Midnight *$2.00 Coupon Valid for New Years Day Breakfast TICKETS ARE ONLY $15.00 rer rersow MAKE PLANS TO JOIN IN THE Fun! ! BUY YOUR TICKETS Now!! Halton Board is looking at 16% increase in mill rate over three years NEW YEARS EVE at CHAPS %OR\ML MAKE PLANS TO JOIN IN THE FUN!! BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! *Full Dinner including appetizer, entrée, dessert. »Dancing * Door Prizes * Bottle of Bubbly per couple at Midnight «Live Entertainment with "DOZE TREE GUIZE" NEW YEARS EVE ched in stone, but are considâ€" and administration to present increases of 4.54% in learn last October its 1995 operating fion’s barn alue Foods DEC. 26 â€" ALL STORES CLOSED 42035 Feirview St., Burlington THE NAKVILLE BEAVER All Prices Effective TUESDAY, DEC. 27/94 TO SATURDAY, DEC. 31/94 ALL ITEMS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST Ei Discount Prices Every Day F 40 Quality Brand Name Manufacturers Ei Specializing in Traditional Dining Bedroom Fumiture Entertainment Units, Secretary Desks, Occasional Fumiture, etc. E Great selection of Custom Upholstry Leather mmwoom-saopm Thurs.â€"Fri. 10:00 a.m.â€"9:00 p.m. Sat. 10:00 a.m.â€"5:30 p.m. Del. Setup avail Best Prices on Quality Furniture Since 1977 Save Up To 60# fbeside Har Falrview 8t 140 Rebecca St. * Students will be eligible for an academic allowance of $150.00 per week (January to June) if selected. * Students will receive high school credits as well as college credits for advance standing at a community college. * 25 students between the ages of 15 24 (high school graduates or high school leavers) * Canadian Citizen or permanent resident * Must be out of school * Must be resident of Halton or Peel * Students must attend a general information meeting â€" Tuesday, December 27, 1994 at 11:00 a.m. â€" at the Adult Learning Centre, 2350 Trafalgar Road., Oakville Students must bring school transcripts to the information meeting. January 2, 1995 to December 15, 1995 Human Resources Dcvciopmcnt Canada at the Adult Leamning Centre, Halton Roman Catholic School Board 2350 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville PHONE: (905) 257â€"3688 3015 New St DATES Funded by Mount Royal Plaza