Powell River Board of Education is looking at budget cuts to pay for the recent Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) wage increase for public school support staff.
“It’s been very clear from the minister that there won’t be any more funding coming,” said Jeanette Scott, board chair.
Last month, the province and CUPE agreed to a 3.5 per cent wage increase over two years.
In August, during the height of the negotiations with CUPE, Peter Fassbender, minister of education, sent out memos to school districts asking them to examine their budgets and look for areas where operational savings could be found that would not affect core services. Any wage increases would have to be funded from operational savings found within each district’s budget.
Scott responded that the board is concerned about having to fund any increase while School District 47 is already on a reduced operating budget.
The board had previously informed the minister that it supported the wage increase, but would not be able to pay for the increase without affecting core services.
“We are and have been, for many years, in declining enrolment,” said Scott, adding that the board, “has been fiscally responsible and began closing schools, cutting back administration and costs every year in ways that we hoped wouldn’t affect learning in the classroom, but you get to a point where there’s no place else to cut.”
The ministry had suggested the school district look at reducing support staff levels, benefits, numbers of part-time and replacement workers.
“These measures would have a significant impact on the CUPE work force and negate any wage increase they garner,” Scott responded.
She asked the minister to provide “a clear definition of core services,” so they are better able to complete their fiscal review and that the provincial government reconsider its position of asking school districts to find the savings to pay for the increases.
The board of education has not had a meeting since the CUPE settlement was reached and Scott said she is expecting the school district’s secretary treasurer to present some options for the board at its next meeting.
