Holy Spirit Catholic School Division wishes to provide clarification regarding recent media coverage by the Lethbridge Herald in the October 17, 2025 issue about layoff notices for our support staff.
The division confirms that while layoff notices were issued on Oct 8, 2025 - no staff were ever laid off. These notices were a procedural requirement under the CUPE 1825 collective agreement, which required a 30-day notice, and were issued in response to unconfirmed government funding during the ongoing Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) job action. This step was necessary to responsibly manage potential financial risks and ensure the division could continue to support its students.
With confirmation of continued funding, the division was able to rescind all layoff notices and has no plans for layoffs while government funding remains in place.
We want to be transparent: the decision to issue and later rescind these notices was never influenced by external demands. Our decisions are made thoughtfully, in good faith, and always guided by what is most beneficial for students.
We also want to clarify that there is no ongoing pattern of staffing cuts at Holy Spirit Catholic Schools. All staffing decisions are made thoughtfully, in accordance with collective agreements, confirmed funding, and the best interests of our students.
Holy Spirit Catholic Schools remains committed to making decisions that prioritize both students and staff. While the ongoing job action continues to create uncertainty, we want to reassure our community that, as long as funding remains in place, there are no plans for layoffs.
We appreciate the patience, professionalism, and dedication of our education support staff during this period. The division remains focused on supporting students, families, and staff as we navigate these challenges together.
— Ms. Chantel Axani, Superintendent of Schools, Holy Spirit Catholic School Division