TORONTO, June 29 /CNW/ - The Campaign for Public Education is calling on the Provincial Government to restore adequate funding to public education in order to prevent drastic cuts to Toronto schools and adult programs. Faced with an $85 million shortfall in the coming year, the Toronto District School Board last night tabled a severe two-year plan which includes: - closing 10 schools short term (and 50 more in the following years) - elimination of 600 educational assistants and 30% of lunchroom supervisors - shutting down 77 of the 80 school swimming pools - cutting textbook spending - raising the student fees for overnight outdoor education programs - cutting 1/3 of the board's summer literacy camps for high-needs students - reducing school secretaries and vice-principals - delaying major school repairs - seeking corporate partnerships and fundraising to support schools and student programs - cutting all staff funding at Parenting Centres - eliminating funding for school breakfast and lunch programs for students in need, and - cutting back continuing education programs. >> "These cuts would have a devastating impact on Toronto's diverse communities and especially the support that non-English speaking parents need," declared Doug Hum, of the Toronto Federation of Chinese Parents, an affiliated member of Campaign for Public Education. "The cuts being considered by trustees this summer are far worse than the reductions trustees refused to make four years ago when the previous Conservative government appointed a supervisor to balance the school board budget", said Chris Glover, a parent with the Campaign. "If the province would restore funding to our schools this crisis would be avoided." "We can't absorb more cuts to our education system," noted Rolland Kacsoh, a private-sector bio-chemist in Willowdale. "Parents and the community across the city are going to know that we're facing a provincially created crisis in public education." The Campaign for Public Education is composed of members of school and community-based groups, and organizations representing students, parents, educators and education workers. Members of the Campaign for Public Education have been working together for many years to rebuild public education in Toronto. For further information: Doug Hum, (416) 706-7886; Chris Glover, (416) 588-4386; Rolland Kacsoh, (416) 525-7732