St. Albert Public Schools Supt. Krimsen Sumners says the school division is extremely concerned about staff who will be impacted by the Alberta government's decision to reduce funding for some educational services.
The province announced in a media release Saturday it is temporarily reducing funding for some education services such as substitute teachers, educational assistants and transportation. Money saved through this reduction will go toward the province's COVID-19 response.
RELATED: Alberta temporarily reduces K-12 funds for services that won't be used in at-home learning
In a March 29 message sent home to St. Albert Public families, Sumners said the division is "extremely disheartened" by the province's direction to lay off school support staff.
"When the government first announced that schools would close, they stated that regular funding would continue, and we developed our plans accordingly," Sumners wrote.
"These plans include ALL our staff ... However, we are suddenly, and with no warning, faced with a new reality right before we are ready to start down this new learning path."
Sumners said new plans are in the works, and while the division isn't sure what those plans will look like yet, students' education remains the top riority.
