Prince George, B.C.- With an expectation of a loss of another 400 students this fall, School District 57 is trying to prepare for that declining enrolment.

Board of Education Chair, Lyn Hall says the Human Resources people with the School District are looking at what staffing levels will need to be in September.    He is aware that Quesnel has already issued some lay off notices to staff within School District 28 boundaries, but says that is not the case for School District 57. “If we have surplus staff, then first we will see if they can be moved to another school. Every year we see a number of retirements, as about 100 people retire.”

The School District is facing a budget crisis with a shortage of $5.5 million over the next three years. Making up that   shortfall can come in part through the sale of some assets, and the revenue from facility rentals but the reality is, more than 80% of the School District’s budget is dedicated to employee costs.

The School District has about 1600 employees, of which about 1200 are teachers and teaching aids.