Ottawa school board will add 40 teaching positions

The Ottawa Carleton District Schoo Board (OCDSB) plans to add 40 new teaching positions to the pay roll for the 2010-2011 school year.

There will be increases of about 35 jobs at the elementary level and five full-time positions at the secondary level.

This announcement comes after media outlets reported staff recommendations to cut over 50 teaching positions in the next two years, 35 in 2010-2011 and 17 the following year. These cuts, which would result in $2.4 million in savings, included ESL and special education positions.

However, the total number of teaching jobs next year is set to increase.

"It is important to recognize that there will be more teaching positions in the public education system next year, not withstanding the proposed reductions," said OCDSB Chair, Cathy Curry.

Cuts in certain areas have been proposed due to a reduction in provincial grants which will create budget deficits for the board.

The school board's Human Resources Committee is set to meet to discuss staffing recommendations further on Monday.