STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Photo Courtesy ATA
ATA

Some school divisions to cut teacher budgets says Alberta Teacher’s Association

Jun 20, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The Alberta Teacher’s Association says in a release that over one-third of Alberta’s school divisions will be cutting teacher budgets next year.

According to the ATA, these cuts will affect many of Alberta’s fastest-growing communities, including Grande Prairie.

After reviewing publicly available school board budget reports for the 2024/2025 year, the ATA reported that the Peace Wapiti Public School division expects a 5.3 per cent decrease in full-time teacher positions, despite the division budgeting for increased student enrollment in the fall.

In a release, ATA president Jason Schilling said; “We cannot be cutting staff in growing school divisions when schools province-wide are expecting to receive 26,000 additional students next year.”

“This is why we have large classes and students struggling without the support and guidance they need for success.”

“The government made an election promise to hire 3,000 new education workers over the next three years; cutting teaching positions now fails our students and their learning.”

Schilling summarized his comments saying, “As it sits, next year will only get worse.”

ATA’s 2024/2025 school board budget report findings (CC: ATA)

Anyone wanting more information about the Alberta Teacher’s Association can visit their website.