William Crooks
A row of ETSB electric school buses is ready in Lennoxville for the first day of classes. The Eastern Townships School Board is welcoming more than 6,300 students across its 20 elementary schools, three high schools, and adult and vocational centres this fall. With full teaching staff secured and transportation fully staffed, the board is also moving toward fleet electrification as part of its long-term sustainability efforts.
Local schools open year with stability, new initiatives and budget challenges
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) is launching the 2025–2026 school year with a stable student population, full teaching staff and a renewed focus on parent engagement, international programs and vocational training, even as financial uncertainty and budget disputes loom over the system.
Steady enrolment after a decade of growth
More than 6,300 students are enrolled across ETSB schools and centres this fall, marking a period of stability after over ten years of growth. “This steady number allows us to consolidate services while continuing to provide a strong educational experience for all students,” the board stated in a back-to-school release.
The board operates 20 elementary schools, three high schools, one adult education centre, two vocational training centres, and an international student program serving the Estrie, Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec regions.
Budget pressures and legal challenge
Council Chair Michael Murray addressed at an Aug. 26 council meeting the ongoing turbulence caused by government budget compressions, which were announced and then partially reversed over the summer. “You’ve had, as you know, major cuts announced and then unannounced. None of the deadlines have been respected in terms of delays for anything,” Murray said during the meeting.
He confirmed that English school boards, including ETSB, have launched legal action: “Collectively, the English school boards have taken a position of challenging the cuts in court on the grounds that administratively, none of the delays for consultation processes were respected… We have asked the courts to stay the application of the cuts,” he added.
Murray acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding government directives: “I suspect that the number of meetings our senior administrators have been attending indicates the ministry may still be in the dark about what the implications are,” he said. “I think going forward, we’re kind of the blind leading the blind.”
Full teaching staff secured despite challenges
Human Resources Director Caroline Dufresne delivered what she called “good news all around,” reporting that every posted teaching position has been filled. “As of today, all our teacher positions that have been posted this summer are filled. Students at ETSB will have their teacher, not just a teacher, but their teacher when they start the school year,” Dufresne said.
She added that 92 teaching positions and 284 support staff roles were filled since June, though some part-time and replacement positions remain open. “We do have a few positions left to post, including two kitchen roles and two special education technician positions,” she noted.
Priorities for the year: health, technology and engagement
Director General Kandy Mackey announced a series of updates aimed at enhancing safety, wellness and community involvement. Starting in October, all ETSB employees will have access to telemedicine services 24/7. “This includes unlimited virtual appointments with a doctor or nurse practitioner for short-term needs,” she said.
The board is also overhauling its health and safety structure to comply with Bill 59, moving from a centralized model to one that empowers schools directly. “By bringing prevention into daily life, we can create safer, healthier environments together where everyone’s voice and experience truly matter,” Mackey stated.
On the technology front, ETSB is transitioning its systems to the cloud to strengthen cybersecurity and comply with Quebec’s Law 25 on personal data protection. A new ETSB website featuring dedicated sections for schools, centres and community programs will launch in early 2026, accompanied by promotional videos for vocational programs in the spring.
International students and vocational boom
The board is welcoming 45 international students from China, Germany, Mexico and Spain this year. “Their presence enriches our classrooms and creates opportunities for cultural exchange,” the ETSB release said, noting the program is seeking additional host families for January and beyond.
Continuing education remains a growth sector. “The adult sector is booming,” Mackey said. ETSB now offers 25 programs in person and online, from welding and plumbing to computer graphics and francisation, along with Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) sessions in the evenings.
Cellphone policy rests with schools
Murray addressed questions about the province’s widely publicized cellphone ban, clarifying that “the promised decree setting out the specifics has yet to see daylight.” He added that governing boards at each school will decide how to apply the directive: “This board will support whatever the local governing board decides is the best way to handle that.”
The Ministry has instructed that phones may only be used for pedagogical purposes or to support students with special needs; otherwise, they must stay in lockers.
Investments in infrastructure and student life
Despite budget limits, ETSB highlighted recent improvements across schools and centres. Lennoxville Vocational Training Centre unveiled new murals by a local collective, celebrating vocational programs. At Waterloo Elementary, IBM Bromont donated book bags filled with supplies and personalized messages for students. Princess Elizabeth Elementary raised $6,000 for Pervana’s Garden at its community barbecue, reinforcing ETSB’s focus on food literacy and outdoor learning.
Mackey also reported an air quality grant for updated cleaning equipment and confirmed that ear protection will be provided to music and physical education teachers following last year’s sound level testing.
Transportation ready, with greener options coming
Mackey said transportation services are fully staffed for the start of the school year. Murray added that ETSB is moving toward fleet electrification: “I understand there were some electric buses that arrived today, and more expected, so we’re moving… in the direction of electrifying the fleet,” he told commissioners.
Board voices optimism despite pressures
In closing remarks, Murray emphasized the transformative role of artificial intelligence in education. “We seem to be on the cusp of a revolution… Artificial intelligence has effectively made traditional homework pretty much irrelevant,” he said, predicting AI will have “as great or greater an impact” on classrooms as the introduction of one-to-one laptops two decades ago.
Mackey ended her welcome message with a reminder to keep students at the centre of all efforts: “Challenges lie ahead, but we’re confident in our collective strength—together as one family, one ETSB”.