Crowe to seek re-election to Catholic board
By Bill Rea

Elizabeth Crowe believes she has a pretty good record, which she hopes will serve her well as she seeks her fifth term on the York Catholic District School Board.

Crowe, who has also chaired the board for eight years, has registered to run again.

"I think I've got a good record of leading the board," she remarked.

Crowe, who represents Aurora and Whitchurch - Stouffville, as well as King on the board, said there are not a lot of pressing issues pertaining strictly to her area.

Her concerns deal more with York as a whole, such as continuing concerns about the amount of funding coming from the province. She also said there have been changes to the model for delivering special education, but a lot of the details are lacking. As well, she said the government is mandating class sizes, with no more than 20 students per teacher from junior kindergarten to Grade 3, which could lead to problems with accommodation.

It's expected that York is going to be the only region that's growing in 10 years, and that's going to have to be addressed too, Crowe said.

As well, the rising costs of fuel and energy are going to put pressure on the board in the future.

Locally, things are running well, Crowe said. A new high school is being built in Aurora. It's slated to open in 2009, and when it does, crowding should be reduced at Cardinal Carter High School.

Crowe seems confident of her chances of reelection, as she observed it's been 12 years since anyone ran against her.

"You never know though," she said.