There is an old saying, “teamwork makes the dream work”. That is certainly true in education – October is the month when our teams really swing into high gear. Whether it is the work that is done in schools and centres to ensure that schedules are finalized, to issue interim report cards, plan an open house, or the work that is carried out at Head Office to finalize the school board budget and plan professional development for employees, it all comes down to teamwork. Every staff member, at all levels of the organization, knows that the fulfillment of our mission and ultimately the success of our students, is contingent on our collective and collaborative efforts. 

We are fortunate that our sense of community is strong and that our belief in the power of teamwork is solid. I see evidence of this every day when working with colleagues or when visiting our schools and centres. Recently, I attended the Fall Fair at Riverview Elementary in Verdun, where a new outdoor classroom space was inaugurated. This project, several years in the making, was the result of collaboration between the school, the Lester B. Pearson School Board, and the borough of Verdun which is part of the Ville de Montreal. Projects such as these are important because our students deserve the best possible learning conditions and what could be more appealing than sitting outside on seats and benches of different sizes, benefitting from fresh air while learning together under a canopy of trees? This is but one example where we are actively engaged with community partners to work together to foster success for our students. 

Earlier this month, our high schools opened their doors to welcome prospective students. These open house evenings afford an opportunity for parents and elementary students to visit, meet staff, ask questions, and tour our high schools. It also presents an opportunity for staff to proudly showcase what they have to offer in terms of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and community connections. I offer words of gratitude to our high school principals and vice-principals, teachers, professionals, support staff and caretakers for all of the hard work that is put into preparing for these open house events. In a few months’ time, we will host elementary open houses for those interested in registering in our elementary network. We are proud to share all that we have to offer at Lester B. Pearson.   

Over the past month, senior administration and the Council of Commissioners have dedicated considerable time and energy to the budget building process. This process is always time-consuming and laborious, but this year there were added challenges and complications due to delayed communications, budget compressions, and unclear messaging. I wish to thank each of our Departments here at Head Office for their cooperation and commend our Financial Services and Equipment Services Departments for leading the way in better understanding our operating and capital revenues for 2025-2026 and helping us chart a course to a balanced budget. I wish to thank our in-school and centre administrators for their diligence and attention at our budget building meetings. Appreciation is also expressed to our syndical partners and our council of commissioners for listening and participating in exchanges focused on this budgeting exercise. 

The Administration has prepared a balanced budget for 2025-2026 for Council’s consideration. This was the result of much reflection, debate and discussion at all levels of the organization. In public education, we confront the reality that the needs always far outweigh the finite resources we have available to us. We have felt the pinch of austerity measures in the past, but this year the budget exercise was especially challenging. Difficult and painful decisions have had to be made in order to stay within the parameters the government has set for us. Tightening our belts, making do with less, and maximizing our resources are phrases we have repeated often over the last several months.

Although we are presenting a balanced budget for this school year, continued vigilance and monitoring will be necessary to ensure that we maximize every dollar and resource available to us. This will mean ongoing communication with all stakeholders, but it will not deter us from our core mission – to educate students within safe, caring and responsive learning environments guided by our shared values of community, respect, inclusion, innovation, and integrity. To achieve this mission, our commitment to teamwork is more vital than ever.

I am confident that the Lester B. Pearson School Board community will stand with us, prepared to continue working together to transform our shared goals into reality. Realizing the dreamwork depends on teamwork, as the saying goes.