Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
“This is a desperate time for education in Quebec,” said the New Frontiers School Board council of commissioners chair, John Ryan, in a statement denouncing the provincial government’s plans to reduce funding to school boards and service centres by at least $510 million dollars.
According to consultative budget parameters received by the NFSB on June 12, the board’s share of this “negative adjustment” could be as high as $4.9 million. Administrators were given little more than a day to react and provide feedback to the government.
“We are expecting to receive the actual parameters towards the beginning of July, so we are hopeful that some adjustments have been taken into consideration, but we are looking at a significant reduction,” confirms the NFSB’s director general, Mike Helm.
When added to reductions imposed earlier this year – amounting to more than $510,000 – as well as a hiring freeze that has been in place since last November, these compressions could place the NFSB in an untenable position. “This goes beyond looking at little pockets,” said Helm, before noting the targeted amount represents over five per cent of the board’s overall budget. “At this point, it is going to impact our schools and centres.”
Helm confirmed that the government has forbidden boards and service centres from adopting a deficit budget or using accumulated surplus funds to balance their books. He pointed out that approximately 80 percent of the budget is allocated to human resources, while another five per cent or more is dedicated to transportation. There is little left in terms of flexibility.
The timing of the government’s announcement further complicates the situation. “We have already made plans and commitments for the next year, and those are contractual obligations,” said Ryan. “Our budget wasn’t extravagant. It was already severe because we were anticipating more reductions,” he insists.
“Having to cut in areas that are going to affect students is very difficult to swallow,” Ryan said. “This is going to affect them for life,” he added, before declaring it will take a lot of pushing for the board to go that far. “It is not what we are here for.”
Reductions, not cuts
In a statement issued June 26, Education Minister Bernard Drainville responded to growing public concern over budget cuts, pointing out the budget has increased by $1.1 billion to $23.5 billion.
“While the needs are endless, we cannot solve all problems with money alone. Record amounts have been invested over the past seven years, and now we must use them more effectively,” Drainville said.
At the request of the NFSB, Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette and Chateauguay MNA Marie-Belle Gendron met with Helm, Ryan, and assistant director general Joyce Donohue on June 27. Following the meeting, Mallette said she and her colleague are waiting on the NFSB to provide them with more information and data so they can better understand their concerns.
“We will be sure to check with the ministry to ensure that the budget increase, as announced, will be fairly distributed,” Mallette explained, noting her office maintains a positive relationship with the NFSB.
Ryan acknowledged the meeting with the MNAs was positive but suggested it’s unclear whether the ministry and government officials fully understand how the impacts and effects of what they are asking could play out on the ground.
Growing public concern
A petition posted on the National Assembly website, sponsored by Parti Québécois MNA Pascal Bérubé, argues that the reduced spending targets will directly affect services to students, particularly those with special needs or learning difficulties. Support staff, including special education technicians and attendants, could see their positions reduced or eliminated. As of press time, well over 118,000 individuals had signed the document, which demands the government call off its restrictions so direct student services are not affected.
All the major unions representing teachers, support staff, education professionals, and administrators have come together to form the “Ensemble, unis pour l’école” (Together, United for Schools) coalition. Statements issued by the different unions refer to the cutbacks as alarming, while noting that important elements such as extracurricular and cultural activities, books, and various support and training measures could be threatened.
“The rope is just not long enough,” concluded Ryan, who has appealed to the NFSB community for support. “If these budget reductions remain in place, your children – our students – will indeed suffer,” he said.