Changes in education funding are resulting in staff reductions in the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
The board has issued redundancy notices to four elementary teachers and just over three teachers in the secondary panel.
Additional layoff notices have been issued that impact 12.5 positions including early childhood educators, secretaries, child and youth workers, library and computer technicians, and staff at the Catholic Education Centre in Wallaceburg.
The job reductions were announced Tuesday night when board trustees approved a $113,357,564 budget for 2019-2020 that includes an operating surplus of $1,229,818.
Director of Education Deb Crawford said changes in ministry funding and a slight decline in elementary enrolment challenged the board to make difficult decisions.
"But I believe we have arrived at a budget that best meets the needs of our students with the funding available in this new economic environment," Crawford said in a news release.
The board's elementary enrolment is projected to decrease by 64.5 full-time equivalent students or 1.1 per cent to 6,071.
A very slight increase of 5.8 secondary students or about 0.2 percent is forecast for a total enrolment of 2,501.93.
The board said it's achieved an operating surplus for the seventh straight year which is required under the ministry's public sector budgeting rules. The funds are to be set aside for future post-retirement payments.
The approved budget will be forwarded to the education ministry.
The Lambton Kent District School Board recently announced the recall of 82 of 111 elementary and secondary teachers issued layoff notices.
