A New Minister, and Parent Commissioners

Minister Arseneau is mandated to organize an Estates General on education in early 2027 to address systemic challenges. Some of the priorities listed are related to students’ health and well-being, systemic inequalities, and an emphasis on Quebec culture and history playing a more meaningful role within the public school curriculum. The goal is to support student success across all demographic levels. These changes will apparently be made in partnership with students, educators, parents and other pertinent groups involved in public education.

In my report last month, I referred to an opinion piece, published during the Provincial election campaign, in the Montreal Gazette, co-authored by the chair and vice chair of the LBPSB. It raised these concerns which have not changed and which we will continue to advocate for:

From the article, I re-state:

• Will the teachers, support staff, professionals and school administrators have the support they need to do their jobs?

• Is mental health and well-being a sufficient consideration of the Education Ministry?

• Do educators have the time, training and resources to manage increasingly complex classrooms?

• Are our schools safe, inclusive environments where every student can belong?

• Does the curriculum prepare the students for this rapidly changing world?

These are a just a few of the realities educators confront every day.

Political leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate that education is a shared responsibility and a long-term investment in Quebec.

Quebec will benefit from a serious, province-wide conversation about the future of education as some of the party leaders have promised — one that brings students, families educators, professionals and government together to address curriculum, funding, staffing, student services, inclusion, language learning, vocational training and educational pathways.

The measure of any education policy should be straightforward: Does it help students learn, grow and succeed?

(end of reference to the article)

An estates general is a solid way to have a province-wide consultation and discussion about the future of public education in Quebec. What I am wary of is the new title of the education ministry and which long- range goals may be included to fit the National objectives. In the meantime, at the LBPSB, we will continue to work our hardest to provide the best education and opportunities for our students. There are challenges every day to make this happen, but it is our commitment, as a council of LBPSB, to continue with the work we do to pursue our own long-term goal.

Tonight, I would like to officially thank our commissioners representing parents whose 2-year term comes to an end at the beginning of November. Taking on the job of a commissioner representing parents demands an enormous time commitment. It is a position which requires that the commissioner represent their community, not just their child/student, or their school, or their personal situation. It means becoming an equal partner around the Council table and participating in all of the work elected commissioners do. Learning “how” to be and what it means to be a school board commissioner takes time as well. What this can mean is just as you have finally figured out all of the layers, the term ends. Commissioners representing the parents of the LBPSB bring a critical perspective to the work we do. I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, Erik Olsthoorn, parent commissioner at large, Sara Hossaini, parent commissioner representing SNAC, Mark Kashetsky, parent commissioner representing elementary and Tracey-Ann Curtis, parent commissioner representing high school, for your commitment, knowledge and many contributions to the LBPSB Council of Commissioners, and the school board, during the last 2 years. This work has also meant in everyone’s case, contributions to governing boards, the Parent Committee, and many other means of participation within the LBPSB. We have learned from you and will think back on your voices and input to our discussions and committee work over the past 2 years – with gratitude. One note before concluding, I am pleased to announce that Tracey-Ann Curtis, was acclaimed after her presentation of her candidacy, by the Parent Committee, to continue in her role for another 2-year term. Congratulations to Commissioner Curtis. The work for you will not stop any time soon.