Parents rally at Sask. legislature to oppose education cuts

About 200 Saskatchewan parents who are frustrated withthe province's cuts to education took their concerns to thelegislature on Wednesday.

Trista Wilson organizedWednesday'srally after the Regina public school board said it was eliminating preschool programs for specialneeds kids because the province cut funding.Education Minister Don Morgan has since said he won't approve abudget from Regina Public Schools that cuts the preschool programs,but he also said there won't be more money coming from the province.

• 'A punch to the gut': Special needs programs cut at Regina Public Schools
• Education minister won't approve program cuts announced by Regina Public Schools

Wilson says that's not good enough.

"Not at all. Don Morgan needs to put his money where his mouthis," said Wilson.

The mother of three says the programs help a lot of children, whoare the most vulnerable, get ready for kindergarten.She says her son, William, was barely verbal before starting theprogram and now he's speaking in full sentences.

"He's come a long way just since the fall when he started theDiscovery preschool program. It is so valuable to so many childrenin our community."

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association has said operatingfunding is down about three per cent, or $55 million, for theupcoming school year. The association says that amounts to anaverage drop of almost $500 a student across the province.

Association president Shawn Davidson said boards have alreadybeen trying to find savings through things such as joint purchasingand joint transportation.But that won't make up for the cut, he saidMonday.

The cuts come as the Saskatchewan government tries to tackle a$1.3-billion deficit. The budget introduced last month plans to getthat down to $685 million in the year ahead.