Changes in provincial funding are having an impact on the local English Catholic school board.
Trustees with the St Clair Catholic District School Board have approved the 2019-20 budget, set at just over $113-million.
With a loss of around 64 full time students, elementary school enrollment has dropped by about 1.1%, compared to a .5% rise for secondary schools.
Redundancy notices have been sent to four elementary teachers and the equivalent of three and a third at the high school level. As well, layoff notices have been issued for another 12.5 staff positions, including early childhood educators, child and youth workers, and library and computer technicians.
“The changes in Ministry funding and a slight decline in elementary enrolment have challenged the Board to make difficult decisions,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education. “But I believe we have arrived at a budget that best meets the needs of our students with the funding available in this new economic environment.”
The budget, which comes with a $1.2 million operating surplus, is being sent on to the Ministry of Education.
