The Superintendent of School District 20 says a budget shortfall of $535,529 for next year will not result in layoffs to teachers or teaching assistants.
Katherine Shearer says the district was able to absorb the potential ramifications to existing staff.
“The impact is mitigated by a corresponding reduction in the need for school-based staffing but due to retirements and leaves, no layoffs of continuing school-based teachers or regular education assistants will be necessary,” she stated.
The district projects there will be 23 fewer students enrolled next fall.
The province funds schools districts largely based on the number of students and Shearer indicates there are additional factors compounding the cash crunch.
“We faced significant budget pressures due to inflation, rising benefit costs and increased replacement (substitute) costs,” she added in the news release.
Shearer listed key areas where reductions will take place as operations and custodial staff, district based curriculum and inclusive education supports, School Board Office administration and library assistant hours.
She maintains there was considerable consultation.
“We undertook a careful and consultative process with SD20 stakeholders to identify reductions that minimize the impact on students and classrooms,” stated Shearer.
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