The Cape Breton Victoria School Board is eliminating 40 teaching positions in September.

The board says it has too many schools and not enough students. In the last 19 years, enrolment has been almost cut in half and 410 teaching jobs have already been cut.

The board says no teachers will be laid off. Job reductions will be covered by retirements.

Some locals worry small rural schools may be targeted in the fall round of cuts.

"Our enrolment continues to decline and it's at the rate 450 to 500 students a year," said Beth MacIsaac, the board superintendent.

"Also we have so much capacity in terms of square footage in our schools. Much more capacity than we need."

Steve Kennedy picked his daughter up at East Bay Elementary Wednesday. That two-room school isn't facing cuts, but he's worried about others.

"It's sad teachers are potentially going to lose their jobs," he said.

"The trouble with closing schools [is] you have a lot of children being bused from faraway places. You don't want to see them stuck on buses for that long. It makes for a long day."

His daughter, Marissa, hopes small school will be protected.

"It's small and fun and you can make friends with everybody in it," the Grade 4 student said.