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Adriana LaGrange
MORE EDUCATION JOBS LOST IN CALGARY

Alberta education minister blasts Calgary school board over staff cuts

Nov 21, 2019 | 7:22 AM

CALGARY- Education minister Adriana LaGrange is ordering a financial audit and governance review of the Calgary Board of Education.

LaGrange says it was difficult to hear that the public school board is ending the contracts of 300 temporary teachers, effective January 2.

She says she sympathizes with those affected, but calls the cuts another example of what she calls the board’s inability to appropriately manage its finances and prioritize student learning.

The board said last week that the United Conservative government’s inaugural budget left it with a $32-million shortfall.

Its chief superintendent said that would mean cutting funds to 246 schools by $22 million, which would include staff cuts and redeployments.

LaGrange says she made it clear that she expected all school boards to minimize the impact on front-line staff and teachers, and to put students’ educational experience first.

The board’s announcement comes after the University of Calgary said it was eliminating 250 positions because of provincial government cutbacks.

(The Canadian Press)