THE PRINCE GEORGE PRESS Sports Cam Swift likes to run. And he likes to win. nun THURSDAY, "SlAY 24, 2001 Health Another union imposes overtime ban on B.C. hospitals. Pag* A13 Entertainment Amanda Stott discovers a whole new world while chasing her dreams. N»B7 Paddle Perfect Local paddling enthusiast Chris Cupp took advantage of the calm wind Tuesday morning and had an enjoyable paddle on the Nechako. John McKenzie/Free Press Economics vs education Maturing population and departing families mean teachers face layoffs Call centre magazine eyes up PG Prince George is to be featured in the September issue of New York-based Call Center Magazine, as pa>-t of the trade magazine’s coverage of Canadian locations. The city will be part of a larger feature about locating call centres in Canada, reviewing issues such as labour supply, regulations and taxes that American companies may not be familiar with. Magazine services editor Brendan Read, in Prince George last week to interview Dale McMann of the Prince george Development Corporation and tour potential centre locations, says he came to the city after noticing it on a provincial web site. Please turn to PG, Page A2 By CHRISTIANA WIENS Free Press staff writer School District 57 teachers are thanking the Catholic Diocese for their decision to close O’Grady this year. Otherwise layoffs in the district could have been a lot worse. The board handed out pink slips to eight elementary school teachers Tues day, telling them they won’t be rehired unless more teachers retire or enrolment picks up. The district has undergone declining enrolment for half a decade, losing more than 2,000 students in five years. The layoffs are the first for teachers on a continuing contract in the district in nearly a decade. Despite an unexpected boost of 150 students from the O’Grady School closure and the folding of three Catholic Grade 7 classes into the public system, the district will still be short an expected 482 students. There are also fewer students entering the system in kindergarten, than are graduating this year. “It’s a combination of different demographics, an economic downturn and a maturing population,” says superintendent Phil Redmond. “We used to think of Prince George as a young community, well our community, like many others, is maturing.” The district gets upwards of $4,200 per student in regular stream, with elementary-aged children and special-needs youth funded higher than other students. Mr. Redmond was not clear of the enrolment’s total cost to the district. Last year, the district lost 371 students, and made up for the lost dollars with attrition, leaves of absence and cuts to the hours teachers, assistants and support staff work. Several staff on temporary contracts, did not have their contracts renewed. In September last year the district recorded a total enrolment of 18,226 students, down from 18,598 in 1999 and 18,962 in 1998. “That’s a big number this year in comparison to other years,” says Sandra Davie, local representative for the B.C. Teachers Federation. While the actual numbers of layoffs is still fluid, the district had to issue notices by May 31, or be stuck with teachers until Please turn to Other, Page A2