Cuts better now than mid-term says school chair

By Naoibh O'Connor-Staff writer

The NPA-dominated school board passed the 2006-07 budget Wednesday night despite objections from the three COPE trustees.

Last minute, one-time funding from the provincial government saved a dozen non-enrolling teaching positions slated for elimination, but 25.6 full-time equivalent positions were cut. Non-enrolling teachers include counsellors and resource teachers.

The board also bolstered its capital reserve fund, a move that bothered the COPE trustees.

"I really can't understand how we're reaching record reserves. Historically, we've stayed at about one per cent, which is about a $3 or $4 million reserve," said COPE trustee Allan Wong. "On the backs of our most vulnerable students, we've increased our reserve to $6 million. In order to increase that [reserve], we've reduced 25.6 non-enrolling teaching positions that directly service ESL, special needs and also they support teacher librarian positions."

Wong said the cuts, which save $1.5 million, weren't necessary considering this year the board anticipates a surplus of $2.7 million.

"It's difficult for us, with many of our stakeholders, to go to the provincial government to state that public education is underfunded when we're increasing our local capital reserve," he said.

But NPA board chairman Ken Denike said conservative financial decisions must be made early on to avoid running into problems in the middle of the school year. He said funding uncertainties exist that require planning for unexpected costs and shortfalls.

"We have to provide the contingency. The worst thing to do is to have to cut positions mid-year," he said. "It's incredibly disruptive. Having been on board when that's been required, it's disruptive to the school, it's disruptive to the families, it's disruptive to the whole education system."

Denike also disputes Wong's contention that the reserve is at $6 million. He said the cost of teachers on call, better known as substitute teachers, between April and June will eat up a large chunk of the money saved by year's end, leaving the reserve at $5 million.

He said the reserve hasn't always remained at one per cent, pointing to 1985-the year the then-board was fired by the provincial government-when it sat at about $8 million. "The last while it's been $3 to $4 million and they've kept it there, which is part of the difficulty we now have," he said.

Denike maintains the board's budget decisions are sound, despite criticism.

"It's about decisions. Do you chance-and a very likely chance given the environment we're in-disruptions mid-year or are you somewhat more conservative and if things improve you can add? It's quite easy to add, it's very difficult to cut midstream."

published on 04/28/2006