The Chignecto-Central Regional School Board will have to operate with far fewer staff members when the new school year starts in September.

The board has just passed its 2012-13 budget, which covers a shortfall of $6.5 million.

The job cuts add up to 127 full-time equivalents, including 55 teaching positions as well as administration workers, school bus drivers, librarians and EAs.

Education Minister Ramona Jennex says they made the best decisions for the students, and insists the cuts were needed because of a decline in enrollment.

“Over the last four years, Chignecto has lost 1700 students from its system,” she told reporters. “So the budget is in line with the number of students than they have.”

Board chair Trudy Thompson is disputing the minister’s assessment, saying 18 of the full-time teaching positions would have been cut due to falling enrolment – the board was forced to eliminate the rest because of budget cuts.

She tells News 95.7 there’s no question students will suffer.

“There will be larger classes, there will be fewer resources and fewer supports to students,” she said. “I think parents will see an impact this year.”

However, Jennex says she’s comfortable with the budget cuts, and says she’s confident students will still receive a quality education.

“They made the best decisions for the students,” she said. “It’s incumbent upon boards to make sure that our students and the education that our students and the education that they receive in the classroom is protected.”

There are more than 3,000 staff members at 77 schools in the Chignecto-Central School Board.