Halifax board keeps probationary teachers

Forty probationary teachers with the Halifax Regional School Board will not lose their jobs as feared.

Theboard reversed its decision to cut the positions after hearing from those teachers and parents, said Gin Yee, acting board chair.

"It was a gut-wrenching process hearing teachers ask for their jobs back. For me personally, it was a heavy effect for me to ask the board to ask staff to reinstate those teachers," he said Thursday.

The teachers received layoff notices earlier this spring as the board tried to find ways to cut costs.

The teachers all had probationary status, meaning they were all in the final stages of qualifying for a permanent job. Many of them spent years as substitutes.

Yee said it would cost a total of $490,000 to reinstate them. The money would be found by restricting professional development and cutting power and oil costs.

Alexis Allen, president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, said she's pleased that the 40 teachers will retain their seniority.

"I am concerned as I will say, when their budgets pass we'll have to see how many teaching positions will be eliminated. But at this point it's excellent news," Allen said.

The school board will discuss a final budget next week.