Education

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The prevention of bullying and violence in New Frontiers School Board schools is among the top priorities identified by director general Mike Helm for the 2025-2026 school year.

The decision to prioritize the reduction of bullying and violence stems from a report submitted in June, by members of a task force established last year in response to mounting concerns over the increasing number of incidents within NFSB schools and centres. The document includes a series of 19 recommendations and concrete measures to reduce bullying and violence within the system.

“I was able to take some time over the summer to really read through the report, and to digest it,” said Helm, who presented the task force’s findings to the council of commissioners on August 26. “There was a tremendous amount of work done by this team in gathering all these different elements,” he added, noting the board will report on its progress regularly as administrators work to implement the recommended measures.

The task force included a cross-section of around 13 individuals including staff members, teachers, principals, special education consultants, and custodians. The committee met numerous times and held several public consultations, community nights, and town hall meetings to gather as much information as possible.

“The idea was to consult with our community to build a plan specific to New Frontiers, knowing that it is a priority for us, but also a priority for the Ministry,” said NFSB assistant director general Joyce Donohue, who led the task force. “Our summary of recommendations is over the short, medium, and long term so that it’s digestible for the board, should we have the capacity to implement all 19,” she explained. The measures span between a timeline of one to two years for easily managed cost-effective solutions, and up to four years or more for those that involve cultural shifts within the system.

Donohue acknowledged there is not anything especially new or groundbreaking included in the recommendations. “We are already doing a lot of great things. It’s a question of ensuring these are done across the board and choosing what it is that we want to continue to move forward with,” she said. For example, the first recommendation involves ensuring each school has an anonymous reporting system in place, where students can report incidences of bullying or violence without fear of retaliation.

Another short-term recommendation involves ensuring each school is implementing the protocols included in a new anti-bullying and violence template provided by the Education Ministry consistently and in the same manner.

The report also references the NFSB’s Commitment to Success Plan which sets an objective of increasing a sense of belonging among students. “Part of that is students feeling safe in their environment,” said Helm. “So, if we put these strategies in place and create a greater sense of belonging and citizenship with students, that is going to have an impact, and there will be less violence and less bullying taking place in our buildings.”

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

With just under a week remaining before students return to class, the New Frontiers School Board has filled all 400 of its available teaching positions, making it the only service centre or board not looking to hire in the Montérégie.

“We are doing great in terms of what our needs are for the startup of the school year, both on the adult and the youth side,” said the NFSB’s director general, Mike Helm. The board still has some vacant positions, and schools may be looking to fill additional resource or support roles, he explained, but hiring is being closely monitored due to budget reductions and restrictions.

“For our support staff starting out right now, we are in very good shape,” Helm confirmed. “But we have to take it case by case as we move forward,” he cautioned, noting the board must maintain a balanced budget and stay within its allocated quota for full-time equivalent positions (ETCs).

According to the provincial government’s education dashboard, the Centre de Services Scolaires de la Vallée-des-Tisserands was short around 15 teachers out of 883 positions when the system was last updated on August 18. The data on available posts for support staff and educational professionals was not available as of press time.

Overall, the NFSB is starting the year with budget compressions that amount to around $800,000, including the $511,000 carried over from last winter and $280,000 from reductions announced in the spring. As a result, the school board is aiming to reduce travel expenses, professional development costs, and overtime hours to recuperate these funds. This involves monitoring any activities and initiatives that take place throughout the year that require overtime to be paid. “We need to take that inventory and make the best decisions for each of our communities,” said Helm, before emphasizing the goal is to reduce but not eliminate overtime work.

According to Helm the budget is manageable at this time, but he acknowledged the situation could change rapidly if there are sudden needs to be met within any of the schools. “Right now, we are looking at a balanced budget, and we have put controls in place to monitor our ETCs,” he said.

Helm jokingly referred to the past few months as a working summer, while maintaining that many employees from schools and centres enjoyed the time away and are ready for the start of the year. “We have a lot of great initiatives that came out of last year that we are moving forward with,” he explained.

“We need to be focused on positive elements,” said Helm, noting that this came up during the first meeting with school administrators last week. “Yes, we have these restrictions that we are dealing with, and we need to take things one step at a time, but we can’t dwell in the negative,” he added. “We need to do what is best for our students and their success!” he exclaimed, saying he is feeling optimistic heading into 2025-2026.

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The New Frontiers School Board is investing approximately $5.2 million in four major construction and renovation projects over the summer.

NFSB director general Mike Helm says the projects are being carried out according to the approved 2024-2025 budget and are not affected by current government reductions.

Two of the projects are taking place in Ormstown, where the washrooms on the main floor at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School are being completely renovated and updated. The tiles on the gymnasium floor at Ormstown Elementary School are being replaced, and work is continuing to renovate the second-floor hallway and certain classrooms.

Exterior brickwork is being done at Hemmingford Elementary School, while renovations to the school’s front entrance and walkway are also taking place.

Finally, a second phase of work to replace windows at Howard S. Billings High School in Chateauguay is underway.

Helm notes that while they are pleased to be completing these projects over the summer, there is some concern about how budget restrictions may impact school renovations in the new year.

The government generally allocates a spending target for such renovations as part of the NFSB’s budget parameters. At the moment, Helm says the board is looking at a steep reduction for the 2025-2026 year to around $1.8 million.

“We are anticipating there will be fewer projects,” confirms Helm.

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

New Frontiers School Board director general Mike Helm says thoughts of summer vacation are far from top of mind for school administrators, as boards and service centres continue to grapple with government-imposed budget reductions.

The NFSB is facing what could amount to a $4.9-million adjustment once the government’s final budgetary rules and parameters are received. The NFSB had been anticipating these figures in early July to begin seriously crunching numbers; however, as of press time, the parameters had not been delivered.

Helm says he is hopeful the government will have revised its position following feedback provided by school boards and service centres after plans to reduce education funding by at least $510 million dollars. “Reductions may be needed but maybe not to this magnitude,” says Helm. “Maybe we could spread it out over a couple of years instead of trying to take it all out in one year. That would certainly make it a little easier than what we are going through right now.”

As it stands, Helm says he is fairly confident the NFSB can meet its target for full-time equivalent positions, but he is less certain there will be enough funds to cover all the other expense categories. “That is where our bigger concern is now,” he admits.

Considering this uncertainty, the council of commissioners held an extraordinary meeting on July 8 where a motion was passed that calls on the government to withdraw its budgetary rules, withdraw the cuts, and reinstate the rule allowing boards to access any accumulated surplus. The resolution argues it is “neither feasible, nor responsible to fully implement the proposed cuts,” and mandates the NFSB administration to request authorization from the education ministry to run a deficit budget.

“This does not mean that we are not going to be prudent in the budget,” says the NFSB council of commissioners chair, John Ryan. “We are going to be as responsible as we can. Obviously, the government is short on funds, but we have an obligation to provide the services that we do,” he explained.

Helm says he is grateful for the council’s support as they wait for the final parameters. He has spoken with school administrators, and everything is on hold for the moment. “We are going to wait until we know where we stand,” he explains, noting that if reductions are necessary, the board will have to balance these with the potential impacts on students.

“We are dealing with some challenging times, but our intention is to provide to the maximum all of the services, programs and opportunities that we possibly can,” says Helm.

Public outcry continues

Both Ryan and Helm say they are encouraged by the public’s response. “It is not about English or French schools. This is impacting everybody equally. That’s why we are seeing so many different people speaking out in different ways on this,” says Helm, who suggests the cuts could lead to long-term impacts depending on how the boards and service centres manage the situation.

A petition sponsored by Parti Québécois MNA Pascal Bérubé on the National Assembly website has now been signed by over 157,000 concerned citizens. The “Ensemble, unis pour l’école” (Together, United for Schools) coalition representing teachers, support staff, education professionals, and administrators, including those at the NFSB, has also continued to grow.

At least seven new groups have joined the coalition, including École Ensemble, the Quebec English School Boards Association, the Association of Administrators of English Schools of Quebec (AAESQ), the Quebec Intellectual Disability Society, the Association Montréalaise des directions d’établissement scolaire (AMDES), the Coalition de parents d’enfants à besoins particuliers du Québec (CPEBPQ), and the Fédération québécoise de l’autisme (FQA).

The Centre de Services Scolaire de la Vallée-des-Tisserands has not commented publicly on the budget restrictions potentially impacting their schools and centres; however, the Syndicat du Champlain, which represents CSSVT teachers and support staff, issued a statement to its members on June 26 denouncing the measures. The union has also joined the coalition and is demanding school service centres stand up to the government by refusing to implement the proposed budget restrictions.

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.

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

As part of a series of measures to reinforce safe and respectful school environments, Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville announced a complete ban on cellphones on school grounds that will come into effect at the start of the new school year.

Starting in September, the use of cell phones, headphones, and personal mobile devices will be prohibited from the start to the end of the school day, including during breaks and lunch hour. This follows restrictions on cell phones in the classroom that were imposed in January 2024.

Drainville made the announcement during a May 1 press conference, saying the decision stemmed from recommendations included in an interim report by a special commission on the impact of screens and social media.

“We know that cell phones are too often used to mock, provoke, or intimidate others. By banning them from school during the entire school day, we are addressing the root cause of many conflicts and, ultimately, allowing students to socialize better with each other,” he said.

There will be some exceptions to the ban for educational purposes, health reasons, or special needs. Drainville explained that it will be up to each school to decide how best to implement this change, while noting about 400 institutions have already moved to restrict cell phone use on school property across the province.

Chateauguay Valley Regional High School (CVR) is among those schools to have already enacted a cellphone ban on campus. The CVR staff and administration went cellphone-free at the start of the current school year and never looked back.

“Our whole message was to disconnect to reconnect,” said principal Lynn Harkness, who referred to the decision as a “100-per cent-plus success.”

Harkness said the impact is clearly visible. “Kids are talking to each other. Kids are interacting; they are looking at each other,” she explained, noting there are more students enjoying the outdoors or participating in school activities during breaks.

Harkness acknowledged that while some of the challenges with social media and cyber-bullying remain, they are much less present within the school. “The pressure has been lifted,” she said, while admitting she is still pleasantly surprised by how well the students have complied.

“It’s not like we are hiding behind corners to catch people like vigilantes,” Harkness said with a laugh, before suggesting that out of a student population over 700, less than 50 students have had their phones confiscated.

Harkness credits her staff, saying the decision to go cellphone-free came from wanting kids to get back to learning. The province-wide ban just reinforces that CVR was already on the right track.

Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The New Frontiers School Board director general, Mike Helm, says he can’t remember a time when schools were closed two days in a row because of a snowstorm.

Few will forget the ice storm of 1998 and the resulting school closures, but that was different. What fell between February 13 and 16 was just snow, but there was a lot of it, and when mixed with high winds, it quickly became dangerous.

The NFSB called three snow days in the aftermath of the back-to-back storms, which means three conditional pedagogical days scheduled for March 21, April 11, and May 20 will now become regular school days.

Students at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School missed an additional day on January 27 due to plumbing equipment failure, which, Helm admits, has made for a challenging start to the term.

“There will be some juggling with teachers, but for the most part things are OK within the system for having missed this many days,” Helm says. “Our staff are working with their curriculum throughout the course of the year, and built into that curriculum is opportunity for remediation and enrichment time. They may end up having to change some of those things right now.”

There were only three conditional ped days in the school calendar, which have now been used. Helm admits that if the schools are forced to close again for weather or other circumstances, “then every day becomes more challenging from this point on.”

Helm says interruptions caused by snow or freezing rain are sometimes called in advance, as was the case on February 16 when parents were informed the night before that schools would be closed. This happens when the NFSB has reliable information guaranteeing difficult conditions in the morning.

In cases such as February 17, the NFSB waited until the morning before cancelling classes, and this was done in communication with the transport companies.

“Severe winds and blowing snow had created white ice. There were road closures on our main highways, and in some of our rural areas we would not have been able to get to the student to bring them in,” he says, noting the transporters were uncomfortable with the conditions.

Helm says that in the aftermath of the storms, maintenance workers were asked to verify the rooftops of the different buildings and to check for drifting snow against structures to ensure there were no emergency situations. The greenhouse at Howard S. Billings High School in Chateauguay collapsed, but no other damage was reported.