Parents’ committee chair happy to work with new Ward 4 commissioner
Lester B. Pearson School Board Parents’ Committee chair Shane Ross is happy with the appointment of Judy Kelley as Ward 4 commissioner. Ross welcomed the appointment and added that the parents’ committee has a good working relationship with the school board’s council on the LBPSB council of commissioners. The appointment of a Ward 4 commissioner was the final step in a three-step process that was triggered by the resignation of former LBPSB chair Suanne Stein Day on Nov. 6 following her controversial run as chair and a six-month leave of absence for health reasons. In accordance with the Act Respecting School Elections, the council is required to name a replacement within 30 days and, in accordance with the Quebec Education Act, the council must consult with the parents’ committee before making the decision. That was done. Vice-chair Noel Burke was named chair, which left the vicechair position vacant. The council of commissioners may name a vice-chair without consulting with the PC. Council named Laura Derry as vice-chair, leaving her Ward 4 commissioner seat vacant. According to the law, the replacement of a commissioner must also be done within 30 days of the seat being vacated and the PC must be consulted. “We were consulted,” Ross said. “What we have voiced concern about was the tight constraints imposed by the 30-day deadline. There was a lot of pressure. We openly stated our concerns with the process and said we would be submitting a post-mortem with suggestions about how things could be done differently. But our concerns were not about a lack of transparency or secrecy. Not at all.” Burke said the tight deadline and a request from the PC for an extension to come up with a list of recommended characteristics led to the reversal of the interview and consultation process and that upset some parents. As a result of the extension, the already-scheduled interviews for candidates took place before the list was submitted. The interviews went ahead, but no decision was made until the list from the Parents’ Committee was studied. “At no point was the integrity of the selection process compromised,” Burke said. “The list would either validate the direction the interview panel was going or we would send it back to the drawing board — or we would re-interview.” Ross has yet to meet Kelley, but said he was looking forward to working with her. “When the parents’ committee put together a list of characteristics we would like to see in the new commissioner, having a good amount of experience was on the list and Judy Kelley has that experience,” Ross said. Kelley began teaching in 1978. She served on the LBPSB council of commissioners from 2007-2014 and retired in 2015. She has served as chair of the John Abbott College Board of Governors and the John Abbott College Foundation and is a member of the Beaconsfield Culture & Leisure Committee. She has also served on various education-related committees and boards at the secondary, CEGEP and university level. Kelley is a mother of five. Her husband is Geoffrey Kelley, Quebec Minister Responsible for Native Affairs and the MNA for the Jacques-Cartier riding. Kelley described the interview process for the job as “rigorous.” “There was a good balance of commissioners and parent commissioners on the interview panel,” she said. “I felt both sides were well represented. And I had no idea I had been selected until I heard my name called out in public. “I’m anxious to get started. One of the goals of the council is to work with the parents in a positive way and to highlight all the positive aspects of the school board,” she added.