By BILL KAUFMANN, Calgary Sun
Alberta’s education minister has deflected blame for the Calgary public school board’s decision to eliminate nearly 200 teaching positions.
Though educators have cited insufficient provincial funding to pay salaries, Education Minister Dave Hancock Wednesday said there’s no need for the board to axe jobs.
“I ask the school boards not to cut back on their staff, there’s no reason for a school board to cut back on their staff,” said Hancock.
It’s up to school boards to properly weigh spending priorities, he said, and if they don’t they’ll reap the political consequences.
“They’ll have to face their electors this fall,” he said.
He said school boards with cash reserves should use those to retain staff but added he would work with districts, like the CBE, that have exhausted their surpluses.
Read the full article here.
If you don't like how the board has conducted the review and revision of their budget, let the board members know - as well as Mr. Hancock and Heather Forsyth - parent engagement where this issue is concerned is really important.
ReplyDeleteI agree Nick - its the board's budget and they have the options to run a deficit or deflect funding from something else. They need to know that our greatest priority is smaller classes/more teachers.
ReplyDeleteLove how the two articles read in order. . .Alberta gets keys to 18 new schools, followed by Calgary schools to cut 192 teaching spots! Mad, Mad world!!
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