This Monday, July 9, at 9:30 a.m., parents, school board workers and unions affected by proposed cuts resulting in the loss of 50 Educational Assistant and support staff jobs will call on trustees of the Near North District School Board to pass a one per cent deficit budget to save local jobs. They say this will also send a firm message to the Liberals to fix the faulty funding formula that is creating budget crises in Boards such as Near North.
On June 27, trustees voted to hold off ratifying their budget until July 10th, to see if the Toronto District School Board would pass a deficit budget and defy provincial government guidelines that all boards must pass balanced budgets. Toronto did, and Education Minister Kathleen Wynne has allowed the Toronto Board to run a deficit of one per cent of its total budget.
Representatives of parents and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) contend that if the Near North Board runs a one per cent deficit on its $125 million budget, that would free up $1.2 million to help save local jobs. Currently, the proposed budget would result in job losses for Educational Assistants, office and clerical staff secretaries, custodians and maintenance personnel.
At this media conference:
Date: Monday, July 9, 2007
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Chippewa High School
539 Chippewa Street West, North Bay
Speakers will include:
· Jim Wilson, President of CUPE Local 1165
· Carol Anderson, school secretary affected by proposed Board cuts
· Sid Ryan, President of CUPE Ontario
· School Parent
For more information, contact:
Valerie Dugale, CUPE Communications 647-225-3685
Sid Ryan, President, CUPE Ontario 416-209-0066