Despite recent cuts to education funding resulting from the government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) has managed to avoid the potential layoff or reduction in hours of more than 200 school based support staff at this time.

Recently announced cuts in funding included a 51% reduction to the transportation grant for the months of April, May and June. WRSD addressed this with a corresponding 51% reduction to the three privately operated bus contractors that provide transportation for students.

Cuts also included an approximate 12.5% reduction to the base instruction grant for May and June. Although laying off school based support staff was one of the suggestions made for meeting this reduction, the government also reminded  school boards of their flexibility, in keeping with board autonomy, to provide solutions and options that best fit their communities’ and school division’s needs. 

Through the first three weeks of cancelled classes and the last week and a half of working through the continuity of learning for students, WRSD has seen how valuable support staff have been in contributing to the at-home learning being provided to students and families. 

Board Chair, Russ Hickman stated, “This is not surprising to us. It might be tempting for some in the public to conclude that since our schools are closed to students, our support staff do not have meaningful work. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We know how important our support staff are to the ongoing learning needs and well-being of all our students and especially our most vulnerable students.”

While continuity of learning for students is maintained across the Division, there has been a noted decline in some categories of spending resulting from the at-home learning environment. As such, WRSD is able to meet the required funding cuts without the need for layoffs at this time. Refunds for unspent school fees as a result of cancelled classes will also be sent to students and parents in the coming weeks.

WRSD acknowledges that these are challenging times that require collaborative solutions. Our school communities and local economy are being hit hard. We value the skilled and creative work being done by all of our employees as we work together to provide at-home learning opportunities and wellness support for all of our students. If there was ever a time to maintain meaningful work for all of our employees in the delivery of powerful learning opportunities for all of our students, it certainly is a time such as this.