How Chinook's Edge School Division is Avoiding Teacher Layoffs Amid Budget Challenges
No Teacher Layoffs in Chinook’s Edge: Here's How They're Making It Work
Good news for Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) – despite the financial challenges, no teachers will be laid off next year. How is this possible? Well, the division is planning to dip into its reserves to balance the 2024-25 budget. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes to keep the classrooms staffed.
Balancing Act: The Budget
At a recent board meeting, trustees of the 11,000-student division approved a $140 million budget for the 2024-25 school year. The projected revenue stands at $139 million, which leaves a deficit of $571,336. So, how are they planning to bridge this gap? Superintendent Kurt Sacher explained that the division will be using its reserves to cover the shortfall, ensuring that teacher layoffs are off the table for now.
Staff Adjustments: Attrition, Not Layoffs
When asked if there will be any staff cuts, Sacher emphasized that any minor adjustments to staffing numbers will be handled through attrition rather than layoffs. Essentially, if someone retires or leaves, their position may not be filled if the budget can’t support it.
"We don’t anticipate any significant adjustments with staffing," Sacher assured. "We are pretty much sustaining our teaching staff, and with support staff, any small reductions will be dealt with through attrition."
Reserves: A Safety Net
After using the reserves to balance the budget, CESD will be left with $4.7 million in reserves. This is getting close to the minimum level that the division is comfortable with. "You need to sustain cash flow as an organization," Sacher noted. "If reserves get too low, you might need to start borrowing money to cover expenses, especially during gaps between receiving funds from the province and paying bills."
Growing Enrolment: A Blessing and a Challenge
One of the challenges CESD faces is managing its increasing enrolment. The division expects to have around 11,300 students in the 2024-25 school year. This growth is somewhat of a double-edged sword. More students usually mean more funding, but due to the province’s funding formula, there’s a delay. Funding increases are spread out over three years, so divisions with growing enrolment don’t see immediate financial relief.
Transportation Funding Cuts
Adding to the financial strain, the division has experienced a significant decrease in transportation funding. The budget for transportation is down by $443,760, a 15.8 percent cut. This is another area where the division will need to strategize and possibly advocate for more support from the province.
Moving Forward
Despite these challenges, CESD is committed to maintaining the quality of education and ensuring that teacher layoffs aren’t part of the equation. The board continues to advocate for the division's needs and highlight the financial pressures they face, hoping to secure more support from the province.
Engage with Us!
Do you agree with this approach? Think there’s a better way to handle the budget and staffing issues? Share your thoughts below in the comments! Let’s discuss how CESD can navigate these challenges while keeping our schools strong.
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