$29.3M budget shortfall predicted by Calgary public school board

The Calgary Board of Education is facing an operating deficit of roughly $29.3 million in 2015-2016.

The public school board released its preliminary budget estimates on Monday.

Board Chair Joy Bowen-Eyre says the province has failed to take into account the number of new students entering the school system when it came out with its budget last month.

"We are anticipating 2,500 new students this year at CBE and probably an additional 2,500 students the year after that," she said.

"And if we are not funded for these students that's asking us to do more with less."

The provincial budget will cut roughly 244 non-teaching positions in the education department.

Bowen-Aire says after four consecutive years of cuts to base funding, it will be difficult to find the needed money.

The budget should be finalized by the end of May.