Board chair on honoraria

A local resident recently wrote a letter in your paper regarding the Peel District School Board's honoraria adjustment. While I appreciate that individuals have a right to express their opinions, I also believe it is important for those who take the time to write to make sure they check their basic facts. Accuracy does matter.

To begin with, the writer criticizes the local trustee for not informing the community of the action and suggests that the decision was somehow not revealed to the pubic. It is the role of the Peel District School Board trustees as a group to communicate decisions of the board. That is a collective responsibility that we take seriously. The decision was widely communicated to the public. The decision of the board and the detailed background were featured in our Briefing publication. That newsletter is sent the day after the meeting to all local media - including this paper - and to almost 2,000 subscribers, plus posted on our Web site. I would encourage Caledon residents to visit our award-winning Web site at www.peelschool.org and subscribe to Briefing.

In terms of considering an increase in the honoraria, this was a Ministry of Education directive through regulation. As a board, we established a formal Citizen's Advisory Committee with representation from across the region, including Caledon. That committee recommended the increase in honorarium, and the retroactivity for consideration by the board. The board approved the recommendations.

Contrary to the letter in your paper, the cost of the honorarium increase is already included in our funding from the government and does not detract from the budget focus on students. The funding is provided for the specific purpose of covering the trustee honoraria increase.

The fact remains that Peel District School Board students are shortchanged about $800 per student compared to others in the province. As a board, we find this an unacceptable situation. There's not one logical reason why we're not funded at least at the provincial average. It is a simple question - is there a reason Peel students receive a below-average level of funding? This is simply unfair to the children we serve and the taxpayers of Peel. And is in no way connected to government funded honoraria adjustments. That is why we do encourage all taxpayers, including those in Caledon, to ask their local MPPs why Peel students are not funded at the provincial average - an action that costs us $114.5 million a year. I should note, however, that this board did approve a balanced budget this year.

The Peel District School Board is open and accountable to the community. With that accountability comes a responsibility to ensure that the information we provide is factual and accurate. Your letter writer should endeavour to do the same.

Janet McDougald

Chair, Peel District School Board