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And a funding cut of that magnitude would see the number of teacher positions drop 2,500 to 33,600 — a level not seen in seven years, according to the teachers’ association.

Meanwhile, student enrolment is projected to increase 19,000 kids this fall to 640,000 provincially, or about 90,000 more kids in classrooms than 2008-2009.

“There is no place to hide,” Ramsankar said. “In the past when cuts have come or grant rates have been frozen, staff and teachers in schools have picked up the pieces and parents aren’t always aware of how bad it is because you don’t want to let programs slide.

“This time there isn’t the money to do that,” he added.

Education Minister Gordon Dirks was unavailable to comment. But his press secretary said in an e-mail that no decisions have been made in regards to the upcoming education budget.

“In this very challenging fiscal environment, Minister Dirks has committed to do everything he can to protect and sustain front-line education services,” said David Heyman. “He has been advocating strongly for education and will continue to do so.”

Helen Clease, president of the Alberta School Boards Association, said a five per cent cut would be devastating to many school districts, many of which are already grappling with enrolment growth pressures, infrastructure demands and student and teacher needs.

“We’re already struggling to provide resources in the classroom,” said Clease. “At the end of the day, (cuts) are going to impact that even more.”