As the new school year begins so does the struggle with declining enrolment numbers for the Bruce Grey Catholic Board.
Overall student enrolment is down half a percent or 17 students.
At the elementary level – enrolment actually increased by 23 students — but secondary numbers are down by 40 students.
Superintendent of Business Cathy Colton believes these numbers are the beginning of a new trend within the school board.
She predicts over the next few years — elementary enrolment will hold their own while secondary numbers fall.
In a school board of just 3,570 students — Colton says the loss of 20 to 40 students is quite significant.
This is because enrolment numbers are closely tied to government grant dollar — and the lower the pupil numbers, the lower the funding.
Fortunately the Catholic Board did not have to reduce its teaching staff this year.
Colton says there were enough retirements to offset the lower enrolment numbers.
In fact the Catholic Board actually gained one teacher, but this was due to the new primary class size requirements.