$5.2 million in renos for ETSB buildings
During Tuesday evening’s Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) Council of Commissioners’ meeting, the board announced renovation projects at a number of schools, part of a $5.2 million allotment from the government, earmarked for repairs and upkeep for the upcoming year.
Among the repairs are bathroom renovations scheduled for Sunnyside, Sawyerville, Sutton, and Butler elementary schools and New Horizons Adult Ed Centre, window replacements at Galt and Sawyerville, brick pointing at Parkview and the replacement of light fixtures at Princess Elizabeth Elementary.
Chairman Mike Murray pointed out that the infrastructure investment meant ETSB buildings were not just being maintained, but improved and upgraded, providing a positive environment for staff and students.
Director-general Christian Provencher’s report focused on the importance of staying focused as the end of the year approaches.
When warm weather arrives, Provencher said the minds of students and teachers can easily drift towards summer vacation.
“It’s easy to get caught up, but we must be vigilant and work hard to finish the school year,” he said.
During the meeting, Chairman Murray told the board that Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) Executive Director Marcus Tabachnick has opted not to renew his contract with the association.
Murray said that instead of rushing to replace Tabachnick, the QESBA intends to take some time to review the mission and structure of the association, and look for ways to better meet the needs of its nine member boards.
Kim Hamilton, current director of communications for the QESBA will replace Tabachnick for the moment, Murray said, as the executive committee refines the orientation of the association.
In the new business portion of the meeting, Murray explained that for the last two years, Townships school boards (French and English) have been meeting with local MNAS to discuss education in the region.
The word from the Estrie caucus, according to Murray, is that the government is in a position of great satisfaction at the moment.
Being able to present a balanced budget is the first step towards being able to reinvest in education, Murray said.
“They recognize education is the future,” he went on, saying the local MNAS will continue to work with local boards to make things happen and deal with the education needs unique to the area.
Murray also alluded to more resources coming, but said no specifics were available yet.
On commissioner asked if there had been discussions at any of those meetings regarding a uniform tax rate among French and English boards.
Murray said that French boards in the area aren’t anxious to make that change, but the subject is certainly being discussed. He added that there is currently a pilot project underway in the Outaouais region using a school tax model similar to the one used on the island of Montreal.
The board adopted a resolution approving the formula for the makeup of a new resource allocation committee.
The new committee will include a cross-section of representatives from across the territory to make recommendations regarding how funds should be allocated and what the budget priorities should be.