Re: “Layoffs Hurt Students” and “Educational Assistants are Vital” Gazette ‘Your Views’ July 25; Aug.
Re: “Layoffs Hurt Students” and “Educational Assistants are Vital” Gazette ‘Your Views’ July 25; Aug. 8:
I wish to comment on recent information shared in the “Your Views” section of the Gazette regarding Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools.
All decisions to change staffing levels in our district are done when we can assure that our success in providing quality programs and service can be maintained and enhanced. At this time, with fewer students coming into our system that require specialized supports, it is fiscally prudent of our board to staff appropriately and within the provincial funding framework.
The board believes that all employees within our district are essential to the success of students. All employees are staffed according to provincial funding categories and rules. Based upon our anticipated enrolment, governance and administration has been determined by the province to be 3.6 per cent of our entire district budget. The allocation of employees within this category must be a local decision that is ultimately determined by the superintendent of schools. The allocation must reflect the unique and evolving needs of the district, and respect existing employee and collective agreements. These factors determine what job classifications may be used for required outcomes within the district. Such circumstances vary between the province's 63 school jurisdictions, and this explains why the kinds of comparisons made in earlier letters are not appropriate. What is completely reasonable to question, is the percentage of planned expenditures on district governance and administration. In response to this area of interest, our public can be assured that we will continue to honour provincial funding requirements, and the success of our students as the benchmarks for further decision-making in this area.
As a district that has successfully embraced a model of inclusion in our classrooms for more than a decade, our teaching teams provide outstanding supports for our students. When our doors open on Aug. 31, our families can be assured their children will continue to receive optimal supports for learning.
Noreen Radford, Board Chair, Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools
