French-language schools millions of dollars in debt

Saskatchewan's French schools are having serious money problems.

Recently, Conseil des coles fransaskoises(CF), the province'sFrench-language school board, advised teachers it might not be able to pay them on time.

The situation set off alarm bells throughout theMinistry of Education and Minister of EducationDon Morgansays the French school board has maxed out its credit line and owes millions of dollars.

"I'm not prepared to have teachers go unpaid," Morgan said. "It is not an acceptable thing in our province, to have someone who works in the public sector notreceivinga paycheck. You can't leave people where they can't make a mortgage payment, can't buy groceries, that just can't happen."

The French school board did end up making thepayroll deadline. However,Minister Morgan told CBC News that officials at the Ministry of Education areon stand-by,just in case the CF can not pay its employees.

Morgan said his office also plans to work with the French school board and review its books in order to identify where money is currentlybeing spent, what the priorities need to beand what needs to change, so that "budgets can come back into line".

Economies of scale

Saskatchewan has 11French-language schools underCF'sjurisdiction and their costs are significantly higher than those of others schools.

For example, the provincial per student expenditure average is$10,981,compared with $19,831 per studentat the province`sFrench-language schools.

The 2014 provincial budget for Saskatchewan's 28 school divisions was $1.8 billion, withCF`s schools reporting some ofthe smallest populations.

Minister Morgan said that while he does not expect French schools to meet the provincial average, he does think there should be "some significant room for them to find economies or do things differently".

A plan is needed

An exact dollar figure of how muchdebt the province's French-language schools owe has not been released.

Minister Morgan stated that the Ministry of Education currently has no budgetary agreement with the French school board and that in the past there has been problems withCF not meeting budgetary targets.

Morgan said he believes the French school board owes millions in debt that "accumulated over time", but told CBC News/Radio Canada that questions about the exact amount of debt theCF owes"need to put to them".

In the meantime Morgan said the Ministry of Education will work with the French school board to find a way to help it cut costs in order to pay utilities bills, insurance bills, transportation costs and payroll.

Minister Morgan said he and officials from the Ministry will meet with theCF Wednesday morning.

CFofficials have declined CBC News/Radio Canada`s multiple requests for an interview.