By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

provincial funding cut

Wolf Creek Public Schools layoffs take effect May 1

Apr 2, 2020 | 3:51 PM

Wolf Creek Public Schools says it will be laying off educational assistants and bus drivers effective May 1.

The move comes after the province’s announcement on March 28 that $128 million is being directed from K-12 education to Alberta’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The financial hit for Wolf Creek is just over $1.6 million.

“We are saddened to announce these temporary layoffs as a result of this reallocation in funding. These reductions in staff, although temporary, will have an impact, as this decision by the provincial government is felt throughout our division,” says Superintendent Jayson Lovell. “To everyone who may receive a temporary layoff notice in the coming days, we know the value you bring to schools, students and families, and that support will be missed during this temporary absence. I want to underscore that these reductions do not diminish your work, or what your contributions bring to Wolf Creek Public Schools.”

The layoffs impact 170 educational assistants and 70 bus drivers. Seventy-two EAs who are tied to Program Unit Funding won’t be laid off.

register now

Blue spruce tree event returns to Pine Lake Dec. 7

1h ago

NOV. 27 FIRE

Small structure fire quickly contained by Red Deer fire fighters

5h ago

WIN-WIN, CLOSES DEC. 1

Red Deer Food Bank holds online auction for winter support

22h ago

Additionally, all substitute teachers will not be provided an average monthly salary as previously communicated to them on March 18. This is in relation to when Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said, “school authorities will receive their full allotment of funding for the 2019-2020 school year,” back on March 15.

The division says all other support staff positions remain employed as current.

“On behalf of Wolf Creek Public Schools, we know this is a difficult time,” Lovell noted. “We all hope for a speedy end to this crisis, and that everyone across Wolf Creek remains safe and healthy for when we all can reunite together in our schools and across our division.”

Red Deer Public Schools, Chinook’s Edge School Division and Wild Rose School Division have also announced their plans for support staff layoffs.

(With file from media release)