About 15 staff and teachers were demonstrating in front of the Hessenland Inn on Friday, as Education Minister Lisa Thompson spoke to the South Huron Chamber of Commerce inside the inn.
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation District 8 President Shane Restall said they had hoped to ask Thompson some question but hadn't had that opportunity. But Restall said their specific message to the Chamber was that cuts to teachers eventually impact business.
“An investment in education is an investment in their businesses because a well-educated, prepared workforce will increase profits for them and it'll make it better for the communities in general," he said.
Restall added that the impact of cuts in education to the overall economy of a community is something they've just started to look at.
Restall said the cuts in the Avon Maitland Board are significant.
“Secondary school teachers, there were 62 teachers that have contracts now that will not have contracts in the fall. The number in elementary is 34 teachers, so that 100 fewer teachers and coaches and mentors in our Avon Maitland schools," he said.
