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By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Vrooman wins a second term mypet Amy Collard rounds out board table as new vice chair myvet "(North Oakville) has enough growth that we will need six (new) schools over the next 15 years." Don Vrooman, chair of Halton District School Board and Oakville Ward 1 and 2 trustee and inclusion as the diversity of the community increases, among other issues. Vrooman was up against fellow Oakville trustees Amos and Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead for the chair's position. In her speech to try and garner votes, Collard said the vice-chair's job is to work closely with the chair. "The chair and vice chair need to work together in order to be effective. Teamwork and collaboration are essential. I believe our chair and I would work very well together," she said. "As I look around the table this evening, I'm reminded of how far we've come in the past year. The knowledge, passion and life experience that we collectively bring to this board is impressive, to say the least. It would be my honour to be your vicechair for the coming year." 21 · Thursday, December 15, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Oakville Ward 1 and 2 trustee Don Vrooman is staying on for a second term as the chair of the Halton District School Board, and he admits that challenges await. The voting for chair and vice chair positions at the board were done at the board's Wednesday, Dec. 7 meeting. The positions are elected by secret ballot for a one-year term. Joining Vrooman at the head of the table is Burlington Ward 5-trustee Amy Collard, who beat out incumbent hopeful Oakville-trustee Kelly Amos for the vice-chair's position. After the meeting, Vrooman said the upcoming year should be a good one for the board, compared to the last. In 2011, the board had to deal with several changes, including a new board of trustees and a new director of education. By this time, he said, all those individuals understand their roles much better and are ready to move forward. However, there are a number of challenges facing the board, he said, with the issue of growth being key among them. "Our biggest challenge, from almost any perspective, is the growth of the board," he said. At the same meeting, the board approved staff to initiate a boundary review for four schools, two in Milton and two in northwest Oakville because there is a lack of capacity in these areas. This had to be done before the annual Long Term Accommodation Plan, which will come out in the new year. "We have a number of schools where, if we don't do something, we'll have elementary schools with over 1,200 students in them," he said. Vrooman noted Forest Trail Public School, which has 15 portables, and Palermo Public School, which has eight. There are also portables in all schools in northwest Oakville. In Milton, he said a chal- Dr. Gesa Kohn-Gould Veterinarian & Owner V myanimalhospital.ca Christmas Hazards lenge will be to build enough school board. schools to house all the stuThis includes the board dents in the area, or to cope in having to negotiate with a other methods, such as by bus- number of employee groups, ing them or using portables. respond to the Ministry of f A major problem for these Education's requirements for accommodation issues has student success, keep moving been the recession, which towards a 21st century-style of f resulted in a insufficient capi- classroom and learning while tal funding budget from the dealing with 75 schools that province, in addition to the the fast growth of the area. The province allocated $600 million over three years for all capital projects in the province, Vrooman said, and another $150 million for renewal projects. However, in that funding announcement the board received funding for two schools out of the three it needed to build. The third, located in Milton, will be delayed by another year as a result of the funding shortage. Of the renewal funding, the are between 20 and 100 years board did not receive enough old, deal with bullying conmoney for all its necessary cerns, face Halton's disparity renewal projects. in the distribution of wealth, "The issue when it comes serve the special education to accommodation is really students, deal with mental funding," Vrooman said. health in children and youth, North Oakville is also fast be proactive in terms equity growing. He said students in north Oakville will be transported to schools in other parts of the town until schools are built north of Dundas Street. "That area has enough growth that we will need six (new) schools over the next 15 years. Even with busing and portables, the kids in that growth area will be tough to accommodate elsewhere in the board," 9 locations to serve you better Vrooman said. Aside from growth, A+ Rating www.aireone.com there are other upcoming concerns for the W ith the Christmas season rapidly approaching, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and not paying any attention to what our pets at home are getting into. Alcoholic beverages, salt, chocolate, and mouldy or rotten foods are some of the top dangers our pets can digest. There are other pitfalls for our pets this holiday season. Feeding fatty foods can cause potentially can also cause diarrhea and vomiting. Cooked bones are also a hazard because of the risk of them breaking or splinter which can cause internal puncture. Do not leave chocolate hanging from the Christmas tree because they are highly toxic to animals. We all know little critters are very curious when it comes to new smells and it is tempting for them to get into it. Its not just food that is the culprit, Christmas ornamental plants such as mistletoe, poinsettias, holly, lilies, and Christmas trees can be dangerous too. Pets, especially cats will try and climb up these holiday plants, so make sure they are properly anchored and fenced off. All the fallen tree needles can get stuck in the paws of animals and their throats "The knowledge, passion and life experience that we collectively bring to this board is impressive, to say the least." Amy Collard, vice chair of Halton District School Board and Burlington Ward 5 trustee need to be covered up so your animals cant chew on them and get electrocuted. For your own piece of mind, keep your vets poison control and animal emergency clinic phone numbers on your fridge for quick reference. 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