Government makes education priority in tough fiscal times
Release date: February 9, 2010
“The government made education a priority in a tough budget – it could have been worse,” said Alberta School Boards Association President Heather Welwood of today’s hold-the-line budget for Alberta schools. Grants to school boards were frozen at 2009-2010 levels for the coming year – a far cry from the $300 million cuts warned of last fall.
Welwood cautioned that while the numbers aren’t as bad as expected, school boards still face significant budget challenges – especially on the teacher salary front – that will require far more than routine belt-tightening. “No grant increases plus rising operating costs mean school boards will have less money to meet the expectations of students, parents and their communities.”
“The 5.99 per cent wage increase awarded by the arbitrator this week and an expected 3 per cent wage increase in September represents millions of dollars – which school boards don’t have,” said Welwood. “At this point, we are counting on the government to make good on its promise to fully fund the five-year deal it made with teachers regarding salaries.”
“Without that money it will be very difficult to maintain the programs, services for students and a full complement of staff.”
“The minister has asked school boards to be patient. We will do what we can to support and work with him – but we are really counting on the government to come through.”
Welwood credited Minister of Education Dave Hancock for his work with his colleagues and the Stop the Cuts campaign run by the Alberta Teachers’ Association, Alberta School Councils’ Association and the ASBA with stemming the flow of red ink. 11,200 Albertans wrote their MLAs calling for an investment in education.
For information contact: Heather Welwood, President ASBA Ph. 1.780.812.1895
Suzanne Lundrigan, Director Communications Ph. 1.780.451.7122
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all public, separate and francophone school boards in Alberta.
