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Minister of Education announces additional resources to assist 
school boards in the re-opening of schools

The Minister of Education, Roger Grimes, today announced that in complying with the July 8 court injunction issued by Justice Leo Barry, government has provided approximately $7 million to school boards to enable the orderly opening of school for the new school year.

When the injunction was granted at the request of the Roman Catholic and Pentecostal denominations, government immediately committed to "fully comply with Justice Barry's order and do whatever it takes to avoid confusion and delay with respect to the coming school year." In living up to that commitment, we have now advised the boards of the level of resources being made available to re-open the extra denominationally-based schools as requested by the denominational representatives, as well as to accommodate the numerous joint service arrangements that will be put in place for September.

"As a result, approximately 90 teachers are being rehired. It is obvious that the boards would not be able to open schools for the new school year without seriously affecting the delivery of programs to students, unless they were provided with these additional teaching units. The salary bill for these teachers will be approximately $4.3 million."

The $7 million announced today also includes $1.7 million for re-call of administrators and staff at the 10 board offices, the necessary maintenance to reopen schools, relocation expenses, etc., and $1 million for additional busing requirements to take students to the 18 additional denominationally-based schools that will re-open.

Mr. Grimes stated: "It is unfortunate that government and the school boards have been placed in this position. I would point out that these additional costs will not be recovered from school board budgets, but will be taken from government's contingency fund."

The minister noted: "Despite these additional funds being put into the education system, there will be no direct benefit to the education programs of students as every student in the province had been accommodated in schools for next year. In fact, some students will find that their educational opportunities have been lessened through reduced programs especially at the senior high school level.

"I trust these additional resources will assist school boards to rehire the necessary teachers and ensure that the vast majority of schools open as scheduled in September."

Contact: Carl Cooper, (709) 729-5040.