Job cuts to come as Saskatoon public schools pass budget
Includes several staffing changes, reductions in services
The Saskatoon Public School board says the budget for its upcoming 2017-18 academic year includes several staffing cuts and reductions in services.
The board passed its budget — which includes expenses of $259.4M, down $800,000 from last year — at a meeting on Tuesday night.
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"This has been an incredibly difficult budget," said board chair, Ray Morrison, in a news release. "We were able to achieve it while maintaining our pupil-teacher ratios. However, we have once again used our reserves to make ends meet, which isn't sustainable."
He said the changes made in staffing and operations will impact the educational experience of the students.
Some of the cuts include:
- The dissolution of the Curriculum Materials Centre and library technical services, resulting in a staff reduction of 10.5 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs).
- A reduction of 11.9 FTEs for secretarial positions in schools.
- The elimination of 6.0 educational consultant and coordinator positions.
- Changes to transportation, such as increasing walk distances and ending noon-hour busing.
New programs introduced
According to the school board, the upcoming budget will continue to support its two learning priorities: Literacy for Life and Collegiate Renewal.
The school division will add 17.2 FTE teaching positions and 18.7 FTE educational assistant positions to support these programs.
Among the new additions, there will be an Autism Support program introduced at Ernest Lindner School and a Functional Life Skills program will open at three of the four new schools set to open in September. There will also be a new French Immersion program beginning at Dundonald School.