Penticton/Summerland #67

The Okanagan Skaha School District is cutting jobs to deal with a budget shortfall of almost $1 million. The reductions, made after the district add up to 10 full time equivalent positions – five by attrition. To balance the budget, the district staff prepared a plan to deal with the shortfall that was then presented to its stakeholder groups and the public for input and feedback.

The full time positions to be eliminated include one vice principal, one delivery driver and one maintenance position.  Other reductions impact clerical, custodial and teaching positions.

Okanagan/Similkameen #53

Layoff notices were given to 10 teachers and another 10 who were on temporary contracts. Silvia Slater of SOS Teachers Union says budget cuts are not affecting this but decreased enrollment is.

A lot of the people affected by the technical layoffs will re-post into other jobs that are open. Sex health education is being done by teachers now – there will be a saving in fees paid previously to a contractor.

Slater says teachers are being asked to do more and more and all of this has a trickle down effect on students.

Bev Young, district superintendent says “We issued 10 layoff notices due to a surplus in staff. Once the post and fill process is complete I will have a better idea of whether all affected have actually been re-hired.