A revised Vancouver School Board budget report says the district won't need to cut quite as many jobs as previously feared.
The board, which initially considered cutting 190 full-time staff positions now needs to cut 161.7 to balance its projected $18-million budget shortfall, the report says.
The updated budget still includes a number of other severe cost-cutting measures, including eliminating the popular band program.
Trustee Sharon Gregson called the board's predicament an "absolutely no-win situation."
"There is no way to make this budget palatable," she said.
After the budget was unveiled on Tuesday night, Paul Faoro, president of the union representing school support workers, pleaded with the VSB to reject it.
"We're robbing the left pocket to put money in the right pocket," he said. "At this point I, on behalf of my union, I have to ask you not to accept this budget."
The board will vote on the cuts on Thursday night.
