Teacher Contract Update

A provincial handout of $340 million to reach new contracts with teachers and support staff is expected to start up contract talks with secondary and elementary teachers with the public school board.
Keewatin-Patricia District School Board Director of Education Dave McLeod says the board and both unions were waiting for some sort of funding announcement.
Both elementary and secondary teachers in the district are without a contract.
Talks with the secondary union began this week.
Negotiations will begin early in the New Year with elementary teachers.
The board is probably wishing that the week not end.
The Tories are filling school board Christmas stockings once again, providing $20 million for buses.
Education Minister Elziabeth Witmer says school bus safety is something she personally considers to be crucial.
Witmer says the money will help ensure boards can provide safe and effective transportation for their students.
More announcements are expected later today.