A Saskatchewan school division made up of 45 schools could see the equivalent of up to 75 full-time jobs eliminated. The Prairie Spirit School Division has notified parents and staff of possible job losses to offset an estimated $3 million shortfall.
A notice from the division states “staffing reductions will be necessary to balance the school division’s 2016-17 budget.”
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In June 2015, the division cited similar financial challenges, passing a budget $2.5 million in the red.
“We feel that these cuts are serious now and our students will be affected,” said Larry Pavloff, chair of the division’s board of education.
The cuts would affect about six per cent of employees in the Prairie Spirit School Division, Pavloff said. He added that cuts may include 60 educational assistants and 14 other staff members.
Instruction makes up 69 per cent of the division’s expenses.
While Pavloff said the request for funding is not meant to be a political move during a provincial election campaign, Saskatchewan Education Minister Don Morgan said he’s “disappointed” with the public plea.
“To do this right now, midway through an election, is pure politics and is unnecessary,” Morgan said.
Since 2007, the Prairie Spirit School Division has seen an enrolment increase of 21.9 per cent. Funding for the division has climbed by 31 per cent, or $24.2 million, according to a provincial government spokesperson.
“Each and every year they’ve got more dollars than the previous year. We know that they’ve had some growth and we know that they have some challenges dealing with that growth,” Morgan said.
In a statement, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Cam Broten said the province has cut $50 million from education.
“That is plain wrong, and short-sighted, but a big tell as to where the Sask. Party’s priorities are these days,” Broten said.
No decisions have been finalized and the extent of the cuts won’t be known until after the next provincial government introduces its first budget.