St. Mary School, Fort Frances

The Northwest Catholic District School Board is starting a new school year with a slight staff shortage.

It opened schools this month down three full-time-equivalent classroom teachers and almost two FTE resources teachers.

St. Mary School saw an increase in kindergarten registration.

The school also had to create another grade one class.

Superintendent of Education Brad Oster says that led to the need for at least two more positions.

“And we currently have a .17 prep position to support that additional classroom and at 1.0 LTO (long-term occasional) support position open,” says Oster.

There has also been a change in staff at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton where staffing numbers are up a position.

“The reason for this increase is due to the principal being responsible for the special education of the school. So the 0.68 release from last year was decreased to 0.5 to allow the principal to have the 0.5 special education component required there.”

The board also has five positions open at Sacred Heart School in Sioux Lookout.

Oster says that led to two French Immersion classes for grades six, seven and eight brought together as one.

School achievement teachers were also temporarily reassigned to classrooms to fill the vacancies.

Oster says the board a full compliment of staff at its schools in Atikokan and Dryden.