Algoma public schools lose 40 classes in Grades 1 - OAC

The Algoma District School Board's preliminary organizational plan for the 2003-2004 school year includes 40 fewer teachers of regular classes from Grade 1 through OAC.

The plan, as unveiled by school superintendents Pam Cooper and Mario Turco (shown), includes 17.5 fewer regular classrooms from Grades 1 to 8, and 22.8 fewer teachers at Algoma secondary schools.

However, the job losses at the secondary level will be offset by up to five new teaching positions to be created for a new Grade 12 literacy course, E-learning and an individualized study program.

In our elementary schools, the class reductions will be offset by up to 15 new full-time equivalent teaching positions for Kindergarten classes, including the new full-day Senior Kindergarten program.

However, the elementary organizational plan also includes a reduction of five teachers in special education and primary intervention programs, as well as two fewer core French teachers.

Also, not all of the classroom reductions will result in loss of teaching jobs, because of planned teacher retirements.

At the secondary level, no layoffs are expected because a sufficient number of teachers will retire to cover the expected drop in classes.

At our elementary schools, it will actually be necessary to hire new teachers because the number of planned retirements significantly exceeds the reduction in teaching positions.

The changes were approved by the Algoma District School Board on Tuesday night, subject to final confirmation of Ministry of Education funding and any significant changes in school enrolments.