Alberta to rehire teachers after Redford win

Alberta school boards are already moving to hire teachersone day after Alison Redford's upset victory as newProgressive Conservative party leader andpremier-designate.

On Sunday morning, Redford repeated her promise to reverse the Stelmach government's $107 millionfunding cut to education.

"I just find that absolutely phenomenal," said Debbie Engel, chair of the Edmonton Catholic School Board. "You have no idea the complaints we've had from parents."

Engel said she has already spoken with her superintendent about where to place the returning teachers and will firm up plans when the school board meets on Wednesday.

The board, which laid off 97 teachers over the summer, is expecting about $10 million in restored funding.

"Once we know what our share of the pie is, the teachers can be hired the next day," said Engel. "This is a happy day for new graduates at the University of Alberta looking for work."

Engel isalso happy about Redford's promise to end the"feast-and-famine" method of school funding, where schools discover each springtheir budget for the coming school year.

"You spend all this money, you start all these programs and then, all of sudden, the money's not there," said Engel.

InsteadRedfordpromises stable funding in three-year cycles.

The news was also welcomed by chairman of the Edmonton Public School Board, Dave Colburn. The public board had to cut 229 teaching and 115 non-teaching positions to make up a $14 million shortfall.

"I would expect that absolutely we will be hiring teachers as a result of this increased allocation," he said.

School system like'an oil tanker'

Dennis Theobold from the Alberta Teachers' Association saidnow that the school year is underway, putting teachers back into the classroomwon't happen quickly.

"The school system is a bit like an oil tanker," he said. "It doesn't turn very quickly and it doesn't speed up or slow down."

Laurie Pollitt, assistant vice-principal at St. Catherine Elementary and Junior High School in Edmonton, said the cuts hit her school hard becausemany of her students require English language support.

She is optimistic about what will happen if funding is restored.

"My hopes are definitely that we could provide a little bit more [English as a Second Language] support for our students," she said.

MeanwhileRedfordnamed a team of party stalwarts to help her makethe transition into the premier'soffice.

The team, to be chaired by Calgary lawyer and Redford's long-time friend Robert Hawkes,will include her campaign manager Stephen Carter,campaign staff Jeff Henwood and Josh Traptow,James Heelan, Alberta Health Services Chair Ken Hughes, political strategist Susan Elliott, policy analyst Annette Hester, and communications consultantGord Rosko.