The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Manitoba Education Minister Peter Bjornson has a better sense of the challenges facing the Flin Flon school system after meeting with the board of trustees on Monday. Bjornson met with the board for 90 minutes at the school division offices, with the two sides conversing on topics ranging from provincial education funding to the controversial ward voting system. "It's always nice to be able to talk directly to the minister so he can hear our needs and concerns, as well as the good things that are happening, so he has a better understanding of our situation," said Superintendent Blaine Veitch. "When opportunities arise, it's our hope he will remember those things and consider those needs in relation to the needs across the province." While Bjornson made no promises, Veitch said the minister understood and acknowledged the problems facing the school division. Regarding provincial funding, the minister said a recent proposal is under review that would boost the PST by one per cent, with the new revenue going toward education. On the ward system, which prevented half of Flin Flon from voting in the last board election, he said all concerns will be part of a review of the province's Elections Act. During his visit, Bjornson toured Hapnot Collegiate and Many Faces Education Centre, which gave Veitch an opportunity to highlight some specific areas of concern. The board has been asking for provincial support for renovations to the shower facilities at Hapnot as well as money for developing outdoor sports facilities, such as a running track and soccer field, near the high school. At Many Faces, the board has lobbied for a new garage for mechanics courses. Veitch said Bjornson was impressed with the programming underway at Many Faces that combines high school courses with those of the new University College of the North. Both institutes are based in the former armoury. The minister also spoke highly of the division's efforts to enhance aboriginal education opportunities.
