Division provides updates regarding adjustments to temporary funding cut

On Saturday, the Government of Alberta announced the temporary reallocation of resources, which shifted funds from education to Alberta’s COVID-19 response.
For Lethbridge School Division, this has amounted to a $1.5 million reduction in funding.
With that in mind, the Division faces the unfortunate task of extending release notifications and announcing temporary layoffs to some staff. Although these adjustments are temporary, they will have a significant impact on the Lethbridge School Division team going forward.
“I want to emphasize the temporary reductions in no way diminish the excellent work these individuals have done, the connection they have made with students or the support they offer to our colleagues, families and school communities,” said Lethbridge School Division Supt. Cheryl Gilmore.
This week, the Division’s transition to student learning at home began across all levels. The Division’s adjustments to funding reductions have been made with the goal of maximizing student learning and supporting the continuity of learning as much as possible.
“We are examining every aspect of our budget, and we will soon have final numbers in terms of staff we are able to retain,” said Gilmore, who added work continues to ensure job losses are as minimal as possible. “We continue to look for cost savings and efficiencies throughout the entire system.”
The Division has given release notices to temporary and casual staff and the regular and continuing staff in these classifications, effective April 30:
- Educational assistants
- Advanced educational assistants
- Learning Commons facilitators
- Career practitioners
- Administrative support
- FNMI liaisons.
Gilmore added several plans were put in place at the beginning of the 2019/2020 school year to mitigate the number of job losses, as the Division utilized $3 million of reserves to maintain current levels of programs, services and supports. The removal of Class Size funding of $5 million and the implementation of a one-year transition fund of $2 million necessitated the use of reserves.
“Our Division made it a priority right from the beginning of this school year to keep staff in place,” said Gilmore. “We are using further reserves moving into the 2020/2021 school year, and to draw on more reserves at this point, to make up for Saturday’s $1.5 million reduction in funding, would have a significant long-term impact on the Division.”
The Division is continuing the process of formalized the 2020-2021 budget, while at the same time preparing for the impact the temporarily staff departures will have on the remainder of the current school year.
“On behalf of Lethbridge School Division, I thank all staff for they have done as a team transitioning to learning at home,” said Gilmore. “Every role contributes to meeting student needs, and I look forward to a full compliment of staff when our conditions change.”