ETSB says have a very, very, very relaxing summer

The Eastern Townships School Board held its final council of commissioners meeting before breaking for the summer.

“Have a very, very, very relaxing summer,” said Director general Christian Provencher, to the board as well as the rest of the ETSB community.

During the meeting, a number of administrative appointments were made.

James Lemaitre, currently Principal at Asbestos -Danville –Shipton Elementary School at 50 per cent will increase to a 70 per cent position.

North Hatley Elementary Principal Catherine Zahra will increase from a 30 to 40 per cent position. Waterloo Elementary Principal Catherine Canzani’s position will increase from 50 to 60 per cent, and Martin Vigneux was appointed Centre Director at New Horizons Adult Education Centre for the coming year.

The budget for the upcoming school

year was adopted. Chairman Mike Murray pointed out it may be worthwhile to publish a summary of the budget on the ETSB website.

“It could answer a lot of questions,” Murray said.

Other annual housekeeping matters were addressed during the meeting, including the confirmation of the head office and schools and centres administrative structures, and signing officer changes were made where needed.

A long list of building renovation projects were approved, capitalizing on the absence of the students from schools and centres.

On the list of upcoming plans are schoolyard improvement projects at Galt, Lennoxville Elementary and Farnham Elementary schools.

Richmond Regional and Galt are slated for gym rejuvenations. A new roof was approved for Butler Elementary, and the boiler will be replaced at Sutton Elementary. Installation of a ventilation system was approved for Massey-vanier, as well as basement floor repairs for Knowlton Academy, parking lot work at Princess Elizabeth, exterior wall repairs at ADS, and surface water drainage at Richmond Regional.

The board had a discussion about the class action suit involving 68 Quebec school boards regarding school fees.

One commissioner pointed out that an email sent out to all parents was unclear and some dismissed it as spam.

Secretary General Éric Campbell explained that the ETSB was not responsible for the content of the email; it was prepared by the plaintiff and the ETSB was ordered by the court to forward it to all parents because the board had the email list available.

The email explains the nature of the class action, and explains how parents not wanting to participate can opt out.

During the meeting, Murray said that for the first time in 48 years, the ETSB and Val-des-cerfs governing boards at Massey-vanier had a meeting together.

Among the things discussed was including ETSB students in the passion program, which offers a number of specialized programs taught by professionals instead of teachers.

Murray said that the likely first step will be to blend intramural sports, and then potentially combined school sports teams.

“It’s been offered since 2005,” one commissioner pointed out, adding that the board should support and encourage partnerships of that type.