Chignecto school board chops 43 jobs

The Chignecto-Central Regional School Board says it has to cut 43 positions in order to deal with both funding cuts and rising costs.

The board passed its 2011-12 budget at a meeting Wednesday night.

The school board anticipated a $3.8-million shortfall. In order to balance the budget, it cut 17 teaching and 8.5 consulting jobs, among other positions.

"The reductions are significant and will greatly impact our staff and our students," board chair Trudy Thompson said in a statement.

The 17 teaching jobs are disappearing because the board expects 425 fewer students in the fall.

The board is also cutting back on administrative staff, professional development and travel.

"We are especially concerned that our board will not be able to sustain these reductions over the long-term and certainly not if the province requires further cuts in the future," Thompson said.

The provincial government cut funding to schools boards around Nova Scotia.

The Halifax Regional School Board, which expected a shortfall of $10 million,passed its budget on Wednesday too.

The board eliminated 133teaching positions throughretirements and parental leave and cut 35 jobs at itsheadquarters in Dartmouth. It's also cutting back on substitute teachers.