The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board says it’s trying to avoid lay-offs this summer, if at all possible.
The board’s latest budget calls for a cut of 27 full-time positions due to funding cuts by the province.
Sean Monteith is the Director of Education and says there are almost enough retirements to off-set the job cuts.
Monteith notes attrition may not solve all of their problems but notes there’s a strong effort by staff to find openings for teachers even if they have to move.
The public school board estimates there will 121 fewer students enrolled in the fall, meaning fewer teachers will be needed.
Monteith notes he’s against the lay-off’s but he notes the Board had to find savings and he wanted to ensure special education wasn’t touched.
Trustees have approved the 2015-2016 spending estimates and it shows a surplus of about $197,000.
The overall budget for the public school board will be $83.5-million next year.
That comes as revenue from the province is down about a million dollars due to declining student numbers.
Superintendent of Business Dean Carrie notes funding for special education took another hit this year, dropping by about $500,000.
