ETSB waiting at bated breath for draft legislation

During last week’s Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) Council of Commissioners meeting, there was an item on the agenda, 7.2, entitled draft legislation, intended to address the school board reform bill in the works, hinted at frequently by the provincial government.

While ETSB Chairman Mike Murray said the legislation is expected soon, the board has not yet been informed of any details.

“We’re still waiting at bated breath,” Murray said. Later during his chairman’s report, Murray revisited the proposed draft legislation, saying, “I can state, categorically, that this is a solution in search of a problem.”

Student Ombudsman Christian Beaudry delivered his annual report regarding complaints filed during the last school year.

According to Beaudry, a total of 14 complaints were filed, 13 of which were redirected to the ETSB’S internal complaints review process.

Beaudry sugggested the 13 complaints were solved because he never heard back from the complainants.

“They didn’t call me back,” Beaudry said. “They can always call me back if they are not satisfied.”

Of the 14 complaints, 10 dealt with elementary students, three dealt with high school students and one was related to an adult student.

The one complaint that was investigated was regarding an elementary student, but Beaudry pointed out that technically the complaint fell outside his jurisdiction because the student, alleging discrimination, had been pulled out of school by their parents.

Recourse was filed by the student’s parents with the Human Rights Commission.

Beaudry said he offered to act as a mediator between the student’s parents and

the board, but pointed out the Human Rights Commission complaint would need to be dropped to avoid a conflict. The parents opted to pursue the HRC.

One of the commissioners asked the nature of the student’s discrimination complaint. Beaudry replied that it was related to sexual orientation.

According to Beaudry, complaints filed against the ETSB are on par with those the Student Ombudsman sees at the seven other boards where he holds the same position.

During question period, Appalachian Teachers’ Association President Megan Seline asked for an update regarding the board’s ententes with Val des Cerfs. She asked specifically about the Brome-missisquoi Campus (CBM) adult education, now exclusively the responsibility of the ETSB, asking if the vocational training centre were now under the jurisdiction of Val des cerfs, or if there were still a relationship between the two boards. According to Interim Director General Michel Soucy, the two boards are still involved with vocational training. “Negotiations are progressing,” he added, on all fronts.

During the meeting, the board approved the appointment of Tia Rousseau to the position of Vice Principal of Sherbrooke Elementary School.

During his report, Chairman Murray pointed out that while the official count had yet to be done, the ETSB was looking at its sixth consecutive year of increased enrollment.

Murray also added that with plans underway for Drummondville Elementary, the ETSB was building its first new school in over half a century. Dealing with Farnham Elementary’s growing pains is next on the to-do list.