Public school division wants staff to come up with cost-cutting suggestions

The province’s largest school division is asking front-line staff for ideas to help deal with a budgetary shortfall of $11.5 million.

On Wednesday, the Saskatoon Public School Division held the first of four meetings where staff were invited to provide ideas on how to address the challenge presented by increased enrolment, decreased provincial funding and rising operational costs.

“It’s been my experience that when you’re in tight budget times like this, that people who work closest to the action — so in our case, they’re actually in schools or in operating departments — everyone is going to have some ideas on how to do things better, more efficiently or in a more cost-effective way,” board chair Ray Morrison said. All staff, not just teachers, are invited to the meetings, which are closed to the public.

The division has already started its search for savings.

Trustees were told at a recent board meeting that the search will focus on the core mandate of K-12 education, and programs like the three specialized preschools will be examined for potential savings.

At least one program has already been axed. Morrison confirmed Wednesday that Walter Murray Collegiate Institute’s administrative assistant diploma, which has been in operation for about 45 years, will cease effective July 1. Eight students were registered for next year.

Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president Patrick Maze said it’s important for teachers to have a voice in the budget. “Teachers, by their very nature, are wanting to speak out to let everyone know how the changes are going to affect their students and their classroom operation,” he said.