Thirty-one teacher layoffs are part of the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board budget approved for the next school year.
Superintendent of Corporate Services Mario Iatonna hopes not all of them will lose their jobs come September. "We hope through retirements and attrition, and perhaps getting better enrollment in the fall than projected, we'll be able to put all of those people back to work."
While teachers are laid off, 22 new education assistants will be hired. Iatonna says an increase in the number of special needs students has made the hiring of more EAs necessary.
The board anticipates 550 fewer students next school year.