Large number of teachers will return

EDMONTON – Edmonton’s public school board will be able to offer jobs to a "significant number" of young teachers this fall due to provincial funding announced this week.

However, board chairman Don Fleming said it is too soon to say how many jobs the $14.5 million in funding will save. The board won’t know exact numbers until after many city principals return from summer vacations and student enrolment numbers are solidified in late August.

"We’re very pleased the government has come through on their commitment," Fleming said. "It’s a good step out of the difficulties we’re facing. For those who were concerned with what the future might hold, these are good numbers. A significant number of positions will be brought back."

Before Wednesday, Alberta school boards didn’t know how they would pay for a nearly three-per-cent salary increase that wasn’t covered in the government’s spring budget.

Although Education Minister Dave Hancock promised he would find the money somewhere, going as far as to urge boards to go into deficit to avoid cuts, the public school board decided it couldn’t bank on the funding. It moved ahead with plans to cut as many as 212 teaching positions, though that number settled at 119, Fleming said. "In a very logical process, we hoped for the best, but planned for the worst in case the minister didn’t get the money."

Rather than consider a deficit, the public board held reserves "to be nimble." Also, Fleming said, the school board had no idea that if the money came, it would come so soon.

Hancock had expressed disappointment in teacher cuts, despite his promise to deliver the money.

Rachel Notley, NDP MLA for Edmonton-Strathcona, criticized Hancock for leaving school boards in the dark about funding.

"For months, he created unnecessary chaos and anxiety across the province by dishonouring his contract to fund this year’s salary increase for teachers. His crass effort to get a pat on the back for now coming through with the promised money is shameful."

The teachers who were already told they would not get a renewed contract, or be promoted to full time, can now be approached with better news.

No teachers in the district were fired, as the cuts would only have applied to contract teachers.

"The first focus for us is to honour the energy and commitment those probationary teachers we’ve had for the last two years," Fleming said.

Alberta Education says the total funding increase for the province is around $63 million.

rcormier@thejournal.canwest.com