An estimated 50 teaching jobs in Chignecto-Central could be lost next fall if the province doesn’t come up with an extra $45 million for funding, says the president of the Nova Scotia School Boards Association.
And with threats of massive cuts to Nova Scotia’s education system, Ron Marks knows he has some serious lobbying ahead of him.
“We’re trying to let government know of the consequences, if that money is not forthcoming,” said Marks, who also serves as school board rep for Stellarton/Westville.
According to Marks, Chignecto-Central is in better fiscal shape than many other boards across the province, because “our board has been financially prudent,” but added “there would be cuts everywhere.”
Programs such as special education, occupations preparedness program (OPP), music and physical education have typically faced the chopping block when dollars get stretched too thin.
“Those tend to be the first ones cut,” Marks said.
School boards, unionized teachers and administrators are clamouring for the extra dollars, or drastic cuts might be coming next fall, they say.
Education Minister Judy Streatch said she can’t promise more money.
