The New Westminster school district continues to sink deeper into a financial hole announcing Tuesday it will likely have to cut about 70 positions across the district to reduce its deficit.
Acting secretary-treasurer Al Balanuik presented trustees, and members of the public, with a budget deficit reduction proposal. The proposal recommends laying off about 20 teaching positions; about 15 support staff positions; and 35 special education assistant positions.
Balanuik said that in the past, the district has chosen not to issue layoff notices to help offset budget deficits, but that won't be possible this time around.
"Keep in mind that one announcement can change everything and that budgets are based on assumptions," he said.
In his presentation, Balanuik said these layoffs, along with the funding cuts included in the reduction plan, could bring the shortfall down from where it stands now at $3.5 million to $1 million for the 2012/13 school year.
Members of the public who attended Tuesday's meeting voiced concerns with the proposed layoffs, especially the 35 special education assistant positions that would be cut if trustees approve the reduction plan.
Trustee Lisa Graham, whose son has autism and attended school in New Westminster, understands why some parents are worried about cuts that could directly affect children with special needs.
"I don't see how that number is possible, it doesn't make any sense to me," she said. "The number of (special education assistants) who will be employed in our district is driven by the enrolment numbers of special needs students, not by budget."
According to the most recent Ministry of Education count in February, New Westminster has 561 students enrolled as special needs. This is out of a total enroll-ment (from kindergarten to Grade 12) of 5,911 students.
Grant Osborne, president of the New Westminster Teachers' Union, urged trustees to start making decisions soon so that teachers have a chance to find employment elsewhere, before the end of the year.
"It's very raw data and it'll be interesting to see how firm these numbers are," he said. "They need to look at all the scenarios and resolve it as soon as possible."
Osborne wasn't the only one who thought the meeting was a sobering one. Graham also expressed concerns with the district's financial situation.
"Our finances are absolutely atrocious," Graham said. "At least with this information before us now, we have an accurate starting point from which to based some very difficult decisions."
Balanuik said that as he worked on the budget, he discovered that submitting a deficit to the ministry for a second year in a row will have a significant impact on the district's long-term budgeting strategy.
Long-term expenditures and debt repayment planned for the next five years will likely result in a deficit of more than $5 million for the New Westminster school district, according to Balanuik's presentation. This number takes into consideration repayment of deficits for the school years 2011/12 and 2012/13 as well future costs, such as a new Massey Theatre.
On top of layoffs, Balanuik's deficit reduction plan suggests funding adjustments to every aspect of the district's expenditures. Everything from utilities, insurance, supplies, water and sewage, and even garbage and recycling.
The next opportunity for members of the public to discuss budget and staffing concerns with the board is Tuesday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the New Westminster Secondary School library.
