During the recent election period David Alward repeatedly told us that there would be no cuts to teacher’s with his attempt to balance the budget.
However when Jody Carr told the DECs that they would each have to cut 2% in response to Blaine Higgs request for a 2% cut from each department it has been met with dismay and outright refusal in one case. Those who have put those cuts in place when putting their next years budget in place have said that there would have to be a cut in teachers to make this work, with the District 8 superintendent suggesting that as many as 50 to 60 teachers may not be recalled. Now basic math says that if the entire department of education is giving up 2% and they have requested 2% from each of the districts, the Department of Education must therefore be cutting 2% from their own personal budget as well. My belief is that due to the incredibly important nature of education to our next generation that perhaps a bit deeper cut may have been justified at the DoE offices themselves in an attempt to reduce the damage to the individual Districts. My other suggestion is that all of the cuts that the Districts make should take place outside the confines of the classroom i.e.. no teachers or teachers assistants should be lost due to budget cuts. Instead all attempts should be made to reduce in the area of photocopies, replacing technologies could be delayed for an additional year, Personal communications devices should be downgraded at least temporarily and where new technology needs to be introduced a slightly cheaper model could perhaps be used for a couple of years to reduce the drain on the budgets.
Fundraising activities within the district could perhaps be enhanced to increase funding for library supplies, class trips, etc. and perhaps have these activities fund an extra couple of areas not normally covered by fundraising in an effort by the citizens of the province to help maintain the best services possible at the school.
However I do believe that no loss in the categories of Teachers or Teachers Assistants can be considered unless we intend on seriously damaging the integrity of our school system.
If necessary we can look to merge some of the school districts in an attempt to reduce the costs of administration as well in an attempt to meet this target.
It must always be looked at that what is most important when making any cuts is that the most important factor in any decision regarding cuts must always be, Children are the most important product that this province will provide going forward and nothing is more important then making sure that our children get the best education possible.
