Educators predict layoffs, school closures following budget

With post-secondary education funding taking the hardest hit in the 2013-2014 Alberta budget, university administrators say it will have a massive impact on the quality of education.

"I think it is very serious," said Indira Samarasekera, president of the University of Alberta.

"At a time when these students are looking for the best-possible, high-quality education, were going to have to take a real hit on the quality."

The new budget reduces operational grants for Alberta colleges and universities by about $147 million for the next year -- a cut of about 6.9 per cent.

University of Calgary president Elizabeth Cannon says the university was expecting a 2 per cent increase for each of the next three years and were caught off guard by the cuts. "That was extremely surprising, very, very disappointing and ultimately will have an impact on students, our faculty research and innovation, and ultimately the future of the province," Cannon said.

"Were going to have to go back, talk to our stakeholders and see where we can create more efficiencies."She also says it might be time to look at structural changes to the provinces post-secondary system.

Samarasekera says the U of A will almost certainly have to lay off staff to make the cuts.

That could have long-term effects for the future of Alberta, she says.

"My biggest worry is a potential brain drain of the best and brightest of Albertans if they see that the educational experience that they are receiving is not what they're going to get elsewhere."

In the budget, the province says that the cost of tuition will not rise beyond cost of living increases. It also lays out $282 million over three years towards new facilities at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Norquest College, University of Calgary, Lethbridge College and Mount Royal University.

However, Samarasekera says the loss of the operating grants will be felt by the institutions, which are already hurting from years of freezes and cuts.

"We have had 20 years of cuts show me where the fat is to cut."

Schools face "tough choices"

Elementary and high schools in the province dont face the samelevel of cuts, but school boardssay the provincial budget will still lead to hard choices.

"It isn't going to be status quo education. There will definitely have to be some decisions made on how we can minimize the impact on kids," said Sarah Hoffman, a trustee with Edmonton Public Schools.

The budget sets aside $6.1 billion in operating and property tax support to public and separate school boards across the province -- on par with last year.

However, there have been some program cuts. Among them, the province has eliminated the $41-million Alberta Initiative for School Improvement. The program encouraged teachers and parents to think of creative ways to improve education. Its budget was cut in half in 2011 and has now been eliminated completely.

"We see this as funding that was absolutely crucial to our districts success," said Debbie Engel, chair of the Edmonton Catholic School Board.

She says the AISI program was used for things like "high school completion coaches" in schools, which has led to a significant increase in the graduation rate for Edmonton high schools.

Engel says she was surprised the province decided to eliminate the fund as of April, instead of waiting for the next school year.

"Were not only looking at not being able to start new projects or continue projects, were looking at stopping them midstream here in a months time."

Warnings of school closures, layoffs

The budget does set aside new capital money to build schools -- the province has pledged $503 million, which it says will pay for the construction of 50 new schools and the modernization of 70 more.

Engel says the new capital spending is sorely needed. But she says it comes at a cost of maintenance programs that are vital to keeping existing schools running. With cuts to schools operating budgets, she says that could lead to closures for schools with fewer students.

"Keeping those big buildings alive and functioning and cleaned youre going to have to make some choices as a school board what to keep open."

The budget doesnt set aside any extra money for teachers, who have spent months in heated contract negotiations with the province.

Without new money, the president of the Alberta Teachers' Association says the province will see massive layoffs.

"In real dollars, I think it's about 197 million short in what boards will need to provide the same service to students," said ATA president Carol Henderson.

She says as many as 400 teachers may lose their jobs.

""I'm just terribly disappointed as a primary teacher."