"We were able to do it, we just don't want to have to do it again."

Holy Trinity Catholic School Division (HTCSD) Director of Education Geri Hall is reflecting on what she calls a "difficult" budget process. 

In the recent provincial budget, the Sask Party cut operational education spending by 1.2 per cent across the board, though some school divisions (like Prairie South and Holy Trinity) were more greatly affected due to a funding formula that takes into account enrollment and other factors.

The HTCSD board approved their 2017-18 operating budget on May 15, and had to account for a 4.2 per cent decrease in provincial funding.

That meant working around a loss of approximately $900,000. 

Hall says she was "pleased" that they were able to make most of their reductions in areas outside of the classroom, adding that there were no cuts to permanent staff. 

"About 70 per cent (of budget trimming) came out of the division office," said Hall, who said that some division office workers will be redeployed as teachers in schools across the division. "The focus was on classrooms, and to protect the classrooms as much as possible, and the people who work in those classrooms."

Hall said there will be "five or six" fewer teachers on the payroll due to attritition, but they will still be able to meet their required student-to-teacher ratios (20/1 for Grades One-Three, 25/1 for Grades Four and higher). 

One of the biggest changes is a move to full-day Kindergarten classes, which will eliminate the need for noon-hour bus transportation.  Hall says that will mean a savings "$25,000-$35,000."

Hall said that in addition to classroom support, maintaining their infrastructure was a priority. 

"We're being very careful and aren't making any cuts on the facilities side to ensure we have a safe environment for all of our students."

However, Hall says if they are faced with a similar funding predicament next year, the cuts will run deeper. 

"If we ever had to do this again we'd have to look at supports in the classroom because we've done all of the cuts we can do in the other areas. Our hope is we don't have to go back to find more cuts next year."