100 fewer teachers this year in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills schools

Declining enrolment has eliminated more than 100 teaching jobs at separate schools in Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.

The Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) reports the staff cuts were made mainly at the elementary school level in direct response to enrolment numbers that continue to shrink across the system.

Calling the move “significant” officials at the HCDSB said those figures could change now that the school year has started and class sizes are sorted out.

The number of teachers who work at the board is determined by the class size ratio as set by Ministry of Education regulations.

An official with the HCDSB said the reduction of the teaching staff will not affect the quality of education given to students and that all requirements are being met in the classroom.

“Certainly we would like to have as many teachers as possible in our schools but that can’t be done right now,” the official said. “Hopefully we can see these jobs come back.”