SEELB faces court action over costs

The South Eastern Education and Library Board could face legal action unless it agrees to cut costs.

The cash-strapped Board has been given until 6pm tomorrow to make the cuts, which will inevitably affect some special needs pupils.

The government has warned the board that this is their last chance to decide what to cut in order to keep them financially stable.

The SEELB has met on several occasions over the past few months in a bid to come to a solution as to how to make the cuts, which will affect special needs children in the board area. However, Board members recently voted against advancing multi-million pound cost-cutting measures because they wanted more time to consult with the teachers likely to be affected.

The cuts would result in the government cutting back on special needs units and classroom assistants in September this year.

The Secretary of the Department of Education today warned that if the deadline is not met, legal action could be taken and costs would have to be paid by the Board.

(EF/SP)