Teacher cut reversal may mean $1.5M education budget overrun

Less than a week into the school year, Prince Edward Island's Education Department says it's already on track to go over budget because it will have to pay $1.5 million more in teachers' salaries than it had expected.

In June, the province's budget was built around idea that it was cutting 28 teaching positions

After a public backlash, Education Minister Hal Perry said that because enrolment was actually increasing by 120 students, rather than 300 fewer as was forecasted, the department decided to reverse the decision.

• P.E.I. budget gives small increases to health, education
• 28 teaching positions eliminated at English board
• Decision to cut 28 teaching positions reversed by province

At the time, neither Perry, nor Premier Wade MacLauchlan could answer whether they would add money to the deficit or cut resources elsewhere.

But, in a statement sent to CBC News Friday, the department confirmed that, since those 28 positions were reinstated, it has not asked school boards to spend any less or to find ways to save otherwise.

"At this point, the Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture is forecasting an over-expenditure," the statement said.

"Government is still working on how best to address this. The school boards have their budget numbers and are working within those budgets. We are not asking them to make more reductions this fiscal year, at this time."

The government is wrestling with whether it can still find ways to save money in other departments or grow its revenues, the spokesperson told CBC News. If it isn't able to find a solution through these avenues, the province will likely run a slightly larger deficit this year.

A deficit of nearly $20 million was projected in the budget.

If province simply absorbs thecost of those 28 salaries, the deficit will be closer to $21.5 million.