Public school system faces 'challenging' budget plan to deal with provincial changes
CBC News | Posted: June 5, 2019 10:23 AM | Last Updated: June 5, 2019
90 to 100 elementary positions called redundant as enrolment projected to increase
The public school board is expected to reveal their plan to tackle the new funding changes brought in by the Progressive Conservative government later this month.
School boards across Ontario have said the Ministry of Education's budget will mean larger class sizes and, in some cases, job losses.
The Greater Essex County District School Board will present a balanced budget that's part of a four-year strategy to address funding changes, but would not comment on potential changes to staffing levels.
"The entire system was examined for efficiencies and budget savings," said Shelley Armstrong, superintendent of business and treasurer for GECDSB.
Enrolment changes for elementary
Armstrong, addressing members of the board during a public meeting on Tuesday, said that the budget will be presented June 18.
"We expect subsequent budget years to prove challenging," said Armstrong.
Previously the public board announced that "90 to 100" elementary teachers would be redundant for the coming school year, with one-third of those notices being sent out because of projected class size changes.
Armstrong also announced that projected elementary enrolment was expected to increase by 247 students next year, about a one per cent increase. There is no change expected for secondary school enrolment.
A budget made with 'compassion'
Armstrong said it's been challenging creating a budget following the announced cuts from the Ministry of Education, a challenge she believes all boards are dealing with.
"We have challenges obviously with class size changes that we are trying to accommodate with as much compassion as we can."
Armstrong said it's difficult to explain exactly how the changes in class sizes will effect students at this stage in the budget process, but said parents can expect a thorough and complete update later this month when the full budget is released.
"Putting our students first and their education and providing a great learning experience is the priority of the board and that's what we kept focusing on in terms of the budget."