July 8 meeting to finalize tough budget decisions
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) is facing challenging financial decisions as it prepares to implement approximately $6.5 million in budget cuts mandated by the provincial government. At its June 25 Council of Commissioners meeting, presided over by Chair Michael Murray, commissioners and administrators laid out the difficult measures ahead. They confirmed that final budget resolutions—including school-level allocations—will be formally adopted at a special public meeting on July 8.
“These cuts are overwhelming and extremely preoccupying,” Murray said. “We have had only days to adjust to these cuts. The choices imposed are not merely difficult, but agonizing.”
Director General Kandy Mackey echoed Murray’s concerns and described the planning process as “nothing short of daunting.” She noted that the board received the provincial parameters so late that many staffing decisions for the upcoming school year had already been made. “Since receiving the parameters, we’ve worked nonstop to explore every possible avenue to meet this target with care and strategy,” Mackey told commissioners.
One significant adjustment already proposed is the freezing of school and vocational centre surpluses for the 2025–26 school year, with any deficits to be reimbursed gradually at 2–5 per cent annually. This decision, part of a resolution on resource allocation principles, helps the board manage shortfalls but restricts individual schools’ fiscal flexibility.
In the public question period, local teachers and union representatives expressed frustration at being excluded from primary budget discussions. An Appalachian Teachers’ Association (ATA) representative described the board’s approach to health and safety funding as “deplorable,” urging greater consultation with staff in making tough service cuts. “Why were teachers not included in discussions about which services to cut?” he said. Murray replied by pointing to staff representation on governing boards and encouraged proactive engagement at that level: “Your representatives at every governing board need to be forthcoming, need to be proactive.”
The board also fielded suggestions to hire an external efficiency consultant. While Murray acknowledged the potential benefits, he cautioned that collective agreements severely limit the ability to reduce personnel. “Most of the efficiency experts I’ve had the pleasure—or otherwise—of dealing with start by looking to cut staff,” he said. “We are very reluctant to entertain any thought of staff reductions.”
Murray additionally warned that rising legal and consultant fees—particularly for grievances and health and safety compliance—are channelling funds away from student supports. “We’re unfortunately trapped in a system that is expensive, and that we certainly don’t want to pursue further,” he stated. The implication: cutting administrative overhead may yield less savings than anticipated.
A range of programs stand to be significantly impacted. Extracurricular transportation—such as school buses for sports teams—nutrition support, and specialized staff for vulnerable students are all on the chopping block. Murray noted community groups have already stepped in to help cover some shortfalls: “We’ve had to sacrifice things like buses for high school sports teams, but people are stepping up.”
Major construction projects across the board—such as building upgrades at Parkview Elementary, Sherbrooke Elementary, Richmond Regional High and others—were deferred until the July 8 meeting pending bid results and additional information. Approved projects include adult education renovations at the ETSB board office and enhancements at Lennoxville Elementary.
Outside the financial-heavy agenda, commissioners recognized several positive developments. They celebrated recent graduation ceremonies, community-driven fundraisers (including a $6,000 drive for Pervana’s Garden at Prince Elizabeth Elementary), and vocational training successes. A $2,500 gift from the Christian Vachon Foundation to Farnham Elementary was also commended.
The Board marked the upcoming retirement of long-time Instructional Technology and Pedagogical Services Director Eva Lettner after 33 years of service. Mackey described Lettner’s enduring legacy: “love, laughter, and learning,” with a significant impact on English‑language education in Quebec.
Other administrative advancements at the June 25 meeting included changes to signing authorities in several schools, updating the board’s ethics code, and awarding a $179,868 contract for employee assistance and telemedicine services.
Despite the financial strain, Murray commended the professionalism and collective spirit of ETSB staff and communities. “At this more difficult time, every member of ETSB can take pride in one thing—the team spirit and willingness to go the extra distance that’s been displayed at every level.”
What parents and teachers need to know
July 8 public meeting: This special session will finalize the 2025–26 budget. Parents, teachers, and community members are encouraged to attend to observe or participate and give comment.
Key cuts under review:
- Freezing of surpluses and gradual deficit reimbursement
- Potential elimination of extracurricular bus services, nutrition programs, and support staff
- Possible postponement of school upgrades pending budget approval
Staff input: Board officials stress that teachers should engage actively in governing-board discussions, as union consultations were limited during initial cuts.
Community involvement: Groups are already volunteering to bridge service gaps; ongoing collaboration will be essential during implementation.
A petition against the provincial government’s proposed budget cuts was launched on Wednesday and is available on the National Assembly website.
Sponsored by PQ MNA Pascal Bérubé, the petition reads (in French):
CONSIDERING THAT the new spending targets have been drastically reduced for each school organization;
CONSIDERING THAT these new targets will have a direct impact on student services, particularly for students with special needs or learning disabilities;
CONSIDERING THAT, under section 1 of the Education Act, the Minister of Education is obliged to meet all the needs of students, and specifically the most vulnerable;
CONSIDERING THAT school support staff, mainly those assigned to direct services for students, such as special education technicians and attendants for handicapped students, will see their positions reduced or cut;
WHEREAS these workers are essential to the educational success of our students.
We, the signatories, ask the Quebec government not to proceed with budget cuts in education, so that direct services to students are not affected.