'Chronic underfunding': Saskatoon Public Schools to cut 60 jobs to cover budget shortfall
Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) says it is making dozens of staffing cuts to balance its operating budget for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The Saskatoon Board of Education approved a budget of $287.7 million, which is an increase of $9.4 million over last year.
But the budget will see more than 60 positions eliminated and school and office budget lines slashed to offset an $8 million shortfall.
"This shortfall is the result of chronic underfunding from the provincial government, particularly for the inflationary pressures we face every year – our utilities bills are going up, our insurance premiums have increased and our growing enrolment requires resources," Board Chair Colleen MacPherson said in a news release.
MacPherson said the division is receiving $344 less per student today than in 2016-17.
The new operating budget includes a reduction in 14 full time office positions, cutting 13.5 full time elementary teaching positions and seven full-time secondary teachers.
Other staffing cuts includes seven full-time English as an Additional Language Teachers and over a dozen school support positions.
“The vast majority of those people will be moving into existing empty positions across our division, comparable positions,” said MacPherson.
Another one of the positions set to be removed is a full-time speech pathologist.
“I know how strapped all of our speech pathologist are at Sask. Public and in the Catholic System as well,” said speech pathologist Jill Frith.
“Especially with the pandemic, a lot of the children have not had services for the last year-and-half. Our waitlist in the health region is horrible.”
School budget lines will be slashed by 10 per cent, while central office budget lines will be cut by 15 per cent.
SPS says operating funding from the province increases two per cent for the year, which mostly covers negotiated teacher salary increases - but not increases for other staff, inflationary costs and rising student needs.
In a statement to CTV News, the Ministry of Education said the 2021-22 provincial budget had record spending of $1.96 billion for school operations.
"In addition to the increase in core operating funding, school divisions are receiving $20.7 million from the COVID-19 contingency fund to ensure proper supports for students are in place for the fall. This funding is from the more than $150 million in the COVID contingency fund that has been made available to school divisions, qualified independent schools and historical high schools."
The ministry also says school divisions will realize more than $3 million of savings from the SaskPower and SGI rebates that have not been adjusted for in the 2021-22 budget.
“I feel like every year they are cutting education. I feel like they should invest more into our kids,” said parent Cameron Black, whose child is not yet in school.
“I feel like a lot of kids these days are struggling with education. I just want the province to care.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.