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RÉSULTATS d'
ÉLECTION COMMISSION SCOLAIRE The Minister, Michelle Courchesne, comments on School Board election results.
POUR NOUS REJOINDRE TO CONTACT US |
LE
GOUVERNEMENT AGIT POUR ASSURER
UNE MEILLEURE GOUVERNANCE DES
COMMISSIONS SCOLAIRES ET
FAVORISER LA REUSSITE DES ELEVES
gouvernement du Québec 2008/05/13
WHAT DOES THE LESTER B PEARSON SCHOOL BOARD SO DESPERATELY NEED TO HIDE FOR IT TO IMPOSE MORE SECRECY IN ITS PROPOSED CODE OF ETHICS? While taxpayers want more transparency from their school boards, the LBPSB seems ready to impose greater secrecy bylaws.
"Serge Laurendeau,
president of the Pearson
Teachers Union, said he wonders
why the code demands that
commissioners "demonstrate
absolute discretion" for four
years after their term of office
despite already signing
confidentiality agreements."
The proposed code is a "menace to democratically-elected school boards," said Chris Eustace, a retired Pearson teacher who still substitutes. "This is a code of silence. It's a series of punishments for what commissioners can and can't do - it's unbelievable." "But Pearson chairperson Marcus Tabachnick said the proposed code of ethics was developed by the commissioners themselves to ensure the highest degree of integrity. "It's not restrictive," he said. "It doesn't prevent commissioners from doing their work or debating issues." Source: Montreal Gazette ACDSA is intrigued with Mr. Tabachnick's comment. Did some commissioners step forward and say 'hey let's place some gag orders on ourselves.' Or did this take the usual route with the idea being concocted by a small group of executive members who then go out and sell it to the others. "As president of the Canadian School Boards Association, Tabachnick said he has travelled across the country and has heard about codes of ethics from all provinces. He said that in Ontario, a trustee (commissioner) divulged confidential information and was sanctioned publicly and had privileges revoked." Would it not also be interesting to hear from Mr. Tabachnick how much school taxes and school fees are paid in that same Ontario that he speaks of. What improprieties took place in the past or are planned for the future that requires such closed door policies at the LBPSB? An astute observer might well ask what happens to the millions and millions of dollars that do not seem to filter down to the level of the classroom. Is there a potential for offshore retirement accounts, accounts in China and/or kickbacks? Maybe yes maybe no but one thing is certain when bylaws are passed preventing disclosure, the smell of corruption rightfully raises its ugly head. Can't happen in this case or school boards you say!!! Well, scour the newspapers and there are examples a plenty. Pensioners duped out of their retirement plans and their lifetime earnings wiped out by the actions of unscrupulous CEO's and upper management. Yes in that very wholesome apple that represents education certainly resides some very calculating and scheming little worms amongst a world of goodness. Is that what this code of secrecy is all about? One might say, 'act suspiciously and more than likely the rotten apple can not lie that far from the tree. Instead of more secrecy maybe the time has come to bring back some form of pesticide and get rid of those worms which for many Québecois makes this apple rotten to the core. This proposed vow of perpetual silence has no place in a democratic society and counters Jean Charest's promise of openess and transparency!
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE GOT IT RIGHT IN IT'S MARCH 27th EDITORIAL BY STATING UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT "SCHOOL BOARD SECRECY MUST END". It goes on to say that "The Education Act sensibly allows for in-camera sessions for any matter liable to be prejudicial to a person." "That's as much leeway as any public body should need." We totally agree but will add that this applies not only to the EMSB but also to its other Montreal Island partner, the Lester B Pearson School Board. (LBPSB) and all other school boards. As the Montreal Teachers Association president, Ruth Rosenfield, observed at the EMSB Commissioners meeting of March 26, 2008....... when the EMSB makes decisions in the committee of the whole it makes headlines while it is fully recognized that other boards do the same things but in caucus. Anybody who has attended the seemingly pre-scripted LBPSB commissioners Council meetings has to agree with those sentiments. Regardless of whether it is done in caucus, in camera or in the committee of the whole, this illegal practice must stop. School boards must make decisions in public meetings, completely open to the public and with total transparency. With today's available technology, we recommend that school board meetings could be stream cast live on school board websites.
Like the
Gazette states: Point Final!!!!
The decision to close the schools was obviously the right one but was made far, far too late!
"One
would expect that the people
who head our school boards
would be proactive instead
of being reactive. The
decision to remove the snow
on school roofs should have
been taken long ago and the
snow removal could have
easily been done during
spring break without causing
any disruptions – and I
might add at a much lesser
cost. The Commission
scolaire de Montréal
declared an ‘Emergency’ to
close down schools and let
it be known to one and all
that it was acting
responsibly. Its
procrastination in removing
the snow resulted in it
having reportedly to pay
snow removal contractors (I
call them sharks in the
water) up to $65 an hour for
their services during the
declared ‘Emergency.’ The
same job could have been
done during school break by
either CSDM maintenance
employees and/or casual
labour paid at a reasonable
hourly wage. That the LBPSB
waited even longer to close
down schools and remove the
snow is testimony The
decision to close (Lester B.
Pearson board schools) on
Thursday would have been
more than fine with everyone
had LBPSB not said last week
that all its roofs were
cleaned and safe. Now it
just makes people wonder:
Were they lying then or now?
to the fact that we don’t
have the right people
heading our school boards.
The decision to close the
schools was obviously the
right one but was made far,
far too late!"
"Bill 104 isn't
the English boards' biggest problem.
LBPSB CONTINUING SNOW-CAPADES. In the LBPSB school board's latest justification for it's snow clearing misadventures during the past week, we get lesson 101 as to what makes snow dense. A lesson most of us have learned by having shovelled tons of snow over a myriad number of years.Hello LBPSB fonctionaires most of us understand that . However what parents and teachers really want are sound explanations to the school boards inconsistent statements?
HUH??? Are parents misreading what the LBPSB said on March 14th? As one of our kids said "Are they lying about safety issues Mom? We don't know son but for years the LBPSB said that our school ventilation systems were fine but the CSST and CLSC didn't see it that way. Enough said. Let us stay tuned for the next LBPSB snow-capades update. Oh my, those school boards are models of efficiency aren't they? Not!
THE MONTREAL
GAZETTE'S MARCH 21, 2008 EDITORIAL "BILL
104 BECOMES A RALLYING POINT"
IS A SIMPLISTIC RANT ON A COMPLEX ISSUE.
THE GAZETTE'S OWN EERIE SILENCE ON CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL DECISIONS MADE BY THE ANGLO SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE PAST IS PROBABLY A MAJOR REASON FOR THE DEMISE OF ENGLISH EDUCATION IN THIS PROVINCE AND THE LACK OF WHAT IT PERCEIVES AS A RALLYING POINT AROUND THIS LATEST LEGAL CHALLENGE.
BEFORE THE
MONTREAL GAZETTE POINTS ACCUSATORY
FINGERS AT THOSE WHO OPTED TO USE
SCHOOL TAX MONEY FOR THE NEEDS OF
THE STUDENTS INSTEAD OF ALLOCATING
IT TO A POLITICAL LEGAL CAUSE, THE
GAZETTE SHOULD FIRST LOOK CLOSELY AT
ITS OWN INACTIONS AND MINIMAL
COVERAGE OF MAJOR AND CRITICAL
ENGLISH EDUCATIONAL ISSUES OF THE
PAST AND PRESENT.
Where
were the
Montreal
Gazette editorial comments when in 2003 the Quebec
Superior Court convicted the EMSB of
abuse of power equivalent to fraud
in the St. Pat’s case? Where is the Gazette in asking the yearly expenditures of the EMSB and LBPSB Executive echelons as they and other newspapers regularly do for other public organizations? Where is the Gazette in finding out why some Anglo School Boards have trouble hiring in-school administrators?
The answer is
either nowhere or somewhere on the
50th page or such limited coverage
that it is laughable.
If the
Gazette truly wants to save English
Education then it should start by
casting a critical and objective eye on
those that rule the roost.
OPEN QUESTION TO La ministre de l'Éducation, Michelle Courchesne. Since when do Public School Boards such as the LBPSB and EMSB have the right to utilize School tax dollars, allocated for the education of students, for private initiated court challenges? Furthermore, since when are they allowed to divert public school taxes to these private law suits without ever consulting their respective governing boards and their electorate?
"Les commissions scolaires anglophones veulent combattre la loi 101" MAIS «quatre des commissions scolaires anglophones ont refusé de participer au financement: Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Central Quebec, Western Quebec et Eastern Townships. Joint hier, le président du conseil des commissaires de la commission scolaire Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Steve Bletas, a déclaré: «Oh! je sais que je ne suis pas très populaire! Mais on a consulté nos parents et, nous autres, on pense que l'argent qu'on reçoit doit aller à la qualité de l'éducation.» Source: Le DevoirLisez: Les commissions scolaires anglophones veulent combattre la loi 101
LBPSB FIRST EVER!!!!!!!!! ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE RAIN ON REPORTEDLY SNOW CLEARED ROOFS. WHAT IS THE REAL STORY? THE LBPSB CHAIRPERSON MARCUS TABACHNICK OWES THE PUBLIC AN HONEST EXPLANATION. (See LBPSB statement below) MEANWHILE AT THE EMSB EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE PEACHY AND HUNKY DORY ACCORDING TO TONY LACROCE (EMSB DIRECTOR GENERAL)........ AND WHERE IS ANGELA MANCINI THE EMSB CHAIRPERSON? WAS THE SNOWFALL AND RAIN SELECTIVE ACROSS THE ISLAND OF MONTREAL? MAYBE THE MEL'S CHIEF ENGINEER, MICHELLE COURCHESNE SHOULD NOT ONLY DO THE INSPECTIONS OF THE ROOFS HERSELF BUT SHOULD ALSO INSPECT THE MODUS OPERANDI OF SCHOOL BOARDS. SHE BE WISE TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE ADQ 'S MARIO DUMONT . INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERED SCHOOLS COULD HAVE DONE A MUCH BETTER AND EFFICIENT JOB.
UNE AUTRE OPINION L'incompétence transversale Alain Dubuc
Collaboration spéciale, La Presse «Il y a de grosses chances que ces ratés rouvrent le débat sur la pertinence des commissions scolaires qu'avait lancé le chef de l'ADQ, Mario Dumont. Car la douteuse prestation de la présidente de la CSDM dans cette histoire, Diane De Courcy, semble être une conséquence concrète du fait que notre démocratie scolaire est malade.» «Nous avons là les signes
d'une bureaucratie dépassée et inefficace.
Et je n'hésite pas à faire un lien entre
cette incompétence et les ratés de la
démocratie scolaire.Parce que ce qui
caractérise les commissions scolaires, c'est
le fait que ces organismes publics, qui
gèrent des fonds publics, ne sont soumis à
aucun contrôle »
ANOTHER LBPSB
PUBLIC RELATIONS SNOW JOB? CHRONOLOGY OF LBPSB PUBLIC RELATIONS STATEMENTS ON ROOFS AND SNOW LOADS 5am Friday March 14, 2008 - LBPSB STATEMENT IN THE GAZETTE "We've identified no structural problems with any of our schools and no risks with our roofs," said Jim Hendry, a Lester B. Pearson School Board spokesperson.
On Tuesday,
the board
began
inspecting
the roofs on
its 60
buildings.
Hendry
called it
part of
standard
maintenance,
"but in this
case we got
proactive"
because of
snow
accumulation
from the
most recent
storm. March 14, 2008 Posted on LBPSB website
"We would
like to
inform our
communities
that as
early as
Tuesday
morning our
Equipment
Services
team has
been
conducting
inspections
of our
buildings'
roofs to
determine
where there
was a need
to remove
snow to
ensure the
safety of
staff and
students. March 14, 2008 3:40PM BEACONSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Staff and
students not
permitted to
enter Gyms
at BHS
.
(See
above " no
risks with
our roofs) MARCH 15, 2008 LBPSB STATEMENT IN THE GAZETTE “We’re not closing any schools. We’ve already gone through all of our schools,” he said of the board’s risk assessment of roofs. “Wherever we found the snow was unacceptable – but still within limits – we’ve been removing it.” (See above " no risks with our roofs) EDITORIAL NOTE: The LBPSB Students and staff deserve to study and work in schools which are totally safe from collapsing roofs. The LBPSB should follow the CSDM responsible lead and remove ALL the accumulated snow from all of its buildings roofs. Under the current conditions, it is the responsible thing to do. The LBPSB collective administrative trips to China, Florida etc. probably cost more than this snow clean up would cost the school board!!!!
Judge Alphonse Barbeau dead at 81 A funeral for Alphonse Barbeau, a judge of the Quebec Superior Court for 31 years and the leading architect of the laws governing election expenses in Canada and in Quebec will be held Friday. Barbeau was 81 when he died Monday at Charles LeMoyne Hospital in Longueuil of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Barbeau was the judge who sentenced
19-year old Front de Liberation Québec
terrorist Francis Simard to life in
prison for Simard's part in the 1970
kidnapping and slaying of Quebec's
labour minister Pierre Laporte. And in "This is the first time I have ever had to sentence a lawyer," he said at the time, "and I deplore this sad affair." Alphonse Barbeau was born in St. Constant, Que. June 6, 1926. His father, a farmer, died when Barbeau was 3, and he was raised by his mother. He obtained his law degree from McGill University in 1951 and went into private practice. Active in Liberal party politics, he served as vice-president of the Quebec Liberal Party in the 1960s when Jean Lesage was premier. He advised Lesage on administrative and constitutional law, and in 1964 was appointed head of a special federal government committee investigating federal electoral expenses. He was appointed a judge of the Superior Court in 1969. His recommendations on election spending contained in the Barbeau Report resulted in the Elections Expenses Act passed by Parliament in 1974, then to amendments to legislation in Quebec governing political donations passed by the Quebec National Assembly in 1977. Judge Barbeau also headed separate inquiries into the business dealings of St. Leonard Mayor Jean DiZazzo in 1976 and Montreal East mayor Yvon Labrosse in 1985. "He was a great outdoorsman, who liked to spend a lot of time in the woods," said his son, Charles, " He loved fishing, and he played golf." One of Barbeau last rulings in 1999 was to order the English Montreal School Board to keep St. Patrick's elementary school open after the board had threatened to close it. He leaves a son and a daughter from his marriage to Suzanne Léger that ended in divorce in 1966 after 14 years. He is also survived by Gilberte Baron with whom he shared his life for 40 years. The funeral is 11 a.m. Friday at St. Viateur Roman Catholic Church in Outremont. Source: ahustak@thegazette.canwest.com The Gazette (Montreal) 2008 Forum sur la démocratie et la gouvernance des commissions scolaires — « Tous ensemble pour un réseau scolaire performant et de meilleurs services à nos enfants »Le Forum sur la démocratie et la gouvernance des commissions scolaires a eu lieu les 20 et 21 février à Québec en présence de la ministre de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport et ministre de la Famille, Mme Michelle Courchesne. Cette rencontre se voulait un lieu d'échanges et de réflexion pour les représentants et représentantes des organisations intéressées de près par le sujet. Le Forum a permis aux participants et participantes et aux observateurs invités de se prononcer sur quatre thèmes : le rôle éducatif, social, culturel et économique de la commission scolaire dans sa région; la démocratie scolaire et la valorisation de la participation aux élections; la transparence et la rigueur de la gestion dans les commissions scolaires en vue d'une reddition de comptes axée sur les résultats; le financement des commissions scolaires et la fiscalité scolaire. Rappelons que le 4 novembre dernier, le gouvernement du Québec a lancé un chantier dans le but d'examiner certaines pratiques liées à la démocratie et à la gouvernance au sein des commissions scolaires. Le Forum s'inscrivat dans le processus de consultation qui vise la mise en commun des idées sur le sujet. Source: MELS
"I believe" by English Montréal School Board Chairperson Angela Mancini.
Extracts from Chairperson Mancini's Message MRS MANCINI, IF THESE ARE YOUR TRUE GENUINE BELIEFS THAN OPEN ALL YOUR MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC, OPEN THE EMSB FINANCIAL BOOKS, OPEN THE FRONT DOORS OF THE EMSB HEADQUARTERS AND BECOME A TRULY TRANSPARENT PUBLIC BODY FOR THOSE WHO FUND THE EMSB WITH THEIR SCHOOL TAX DOLLARS. STOP THE EMSB PHYSICAL INTIMIDATION OF COMMISSIONERS WHO EXPECT EMSB COUNCIL PROCEDURES TO ABIDE BY THE ARTICLES OF THE EDUCATION ACT.
"A general malaise
hangs over Quebec's school system."
MANIFESTE POUR UNE ÉCOLE DÉMOCRATIQUE, EXIGEANTE ET CENTRÉE SUR LES CONNAISSANCES Une initiative de la Coalition Stoppons la réforme, janvier 2008 Le manifeste
«NOTRE
LOYAUTÉ VA À L’ÉLÈVE» «Nous souhaitons une organisation scolaire où la créativité, la capacité d’innovation, le leadership de l’établissement et la contribution des parents de nos 3000 établissements auraient préséance sur les intérêts politiques et administratifs.» SERGE MORIN, PRÉSIDENT DE LA FQDE
Lisez: ALLOCUTION DE SERGE MORIN, PRÉSIDENT DE LA FQDE CONFÉRENCE DE PRESSE À MONTRÉAL,
Il faut limiter le rôle des commissions scolaires. Et de beaucoup, plaide la Fédération des directions d'établissement d'enseignement (FQDE). Non seulement les écoles doivent chacune être responsables de leurs services éducatifs, elles doivent aussi recevoir directement de l'argent du ministère de l'Éducation.
«Plus l'école a le choix de ses moyens, plus
elle est performante», a déclaré hier matin le
président, Serge Morin. Article par : Émilie Côté et Malorie Beauchemin La Presse - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "School board's secrecy cuts it off from the public. The EMSB's bloc voting and private meetings mean there's little public debate"
Two recent events, the
anti-reform coalition protest on Feb. 2 in
Montreal, and the release of a document by the
Quebec English School Boards Association, bring
to mind two pertinent Gazette articles: “School
reform rupture: Pierrefonds Comprehensive holds
lessons for minister” (West Island, May 1, 2003)
and “Role of school boards tops to-do list”
(Jan. 29, 2008). Chris Eustace Editors note: Let us hope that the Minister will see beyond the self serving rhetoric of school boards. The main focus should be on how to get the funds directly into the hands of the schools and your sons and daughters classrooms.
LA FAE ET LA COALITION
«STOPPONS LA RÉFORME»
MANIFESTENT CONTRE LA RÉFORME SCOLAIRE.
Gazettes Don Macpherson column END EDUCATIONAL APARTHEID IN QUÉBEC
French School, English School, French Immersion adds up
to a mess for parents , students and teachers. Source: FORUM Contributor PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS PUT ON NOTICE BY SUPREME COURT RULING.
In a landmark judgment issued by the Supreme Court of
Canada (London (City) v RSJ Holdings Inc. (2007), the
Court reaffirmed the importance of openness in the
decision-making process of local governments. ********************************************** INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' MONEY AT ANY COST?
LESTER B.
PEARSON SCHOOL
BOARD PLACES
GREATER BURDEN ON TEACHERS AND LOCAL STUDENTS BY
"DUMPING"
MORE OF THEIR PRIVATELY
FUNDED INTERNATIONAL
STUDIES
PROGRAM STUDENTS INTO SCHOOLS ALREADY
EXPERIENCING
OVER SIZED CLASSES.
Is foreign money more important than the welfare of our OWN childrens' education? IS IT ETHICAL OR LEGAL TO USE PUBLIC FUNDED TEACHERS (TAX PAYERS MONEY) TO 'BABYSIT' FOREIGN PRIVATELY FUNDED STUDENTS? WHERE DOES ALL THIS INTERNATIONAL MONEY GO? HOW IS IT ACCOUNTED FOR? WHAT DO THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS GET OUT OF THIS, MORE MICRO-MANAGEMENT BY ALREADY OVER CONTROLLING SCHOOL BOARDS? ARE THESE STUDENTS OFFICIALLY REGISTERED OR ARE THEY PLACED INTO SCHOOLS WITHOUT BEING OFFICIALLY REGISTERED IN SCHOOL RECORDS? LIKE THEY SAY "SOMETHING SMELLS HERE AND IT AIN'T THE FISH". IT IS TIME THAT THE MEDIA DOES SOME TRUE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING INSTEAD OF PAYING LIP SERVICE FOR THE ENGLISH SCHOOL BOARDS. ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS AND EXPECT REAL ANSWERS. THE LBPSB IS OBLIGED TO GIVE ITS' PARENTS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND GOVERNING BOARDS SOME CREDIBLE ANSWERS INSTEAD OF THE ACCUSTOMED PUBLIC RELATIONS DRIBBLE. ********************************************** 
The Post article dealt with the problems of
oversized classes. Parents and teachers believe
that smaller classes allow for greater learning
and this year the Department of Education is
adding 50 more schools to its five-year
class-size reduction plan.
The Devoir piece revealed that the government
would hold a “national forum” on Feb. 20 and 21
that will deal with democracy and governance of
school boards.
It was recently reported that there are over 740
bulging classrooms at the secondary level of the
Pearson board. Undoubtedly, other school boards
have the same problem.
Since student learning is the key responsibility
of school boards, I was wondering if they would
focus on the issue of reducing class sizes at
the upcoming forum. (more info:
www.classsizematters.org)
Chris Eustace Pierrefonds **********************************************
Selon Mario Dumont de l'ADQ : 2008
sera l'année de l'ÉDUCATION au Québec. **********************************************
Commissions scolaires anglophones opèrent des
programmes d’école internationale en offrant
l’enseignement de l’anglais langue seconde à des
étudiants étrangers temporairement au Québec.
L’enseignement est dispensé par des profs payés par
l’État. Pourtant au Québec il y a pénurie de profs
d’anglais langue seconde obligeant le MELS à
accorder des « tolérances d’engagement » qui permettent
à des personnes non légalement qualifiées d’enseigner
l’anglais aux étudiants francophones. The School Board Elections Fiasco 2007 The PQ and the Liberals are clearly in bed together for the wrong reason on the school board elections issue. When school board election turnouts are so low, democracy is effectively substituted by dictatorship. We are not told who is who and what they stand for. At the SWLSB, it was announced (The Laval news vol. 15 no 21 – Nov. 15, 2007) that the chair of that board has been re-elected after eight years at the helm. This is clearly a single party, president for life scenario, unheard of in any other public electoral offices. Mario Dumont has it right, we need change right now. We are all paying dearly for the corruption that exists through heavy taxation. Rocco Iafigliola Laval ********************************************** Abolish school boards National
Post Re: PQ Side With Charest Government To Defeat Non- Confidence Motion, Nov. 14. As a retired teacher with grandchildren in Quebec's public school system, I was disappointed, but not surprised that Mario Dumont's Action democratique du Quebec (official opposition) failed to topple the Charest government with its non-confidence motion that was linked to the dismal turnout for the Nov. 4 school-board elections. Considering that Quebec has the largest education bureaucracy and the costliest school boards in Canada, bravo to Dumont for his valiant effort to abolish school boards and put the savings into classrooms. Even though he received no help from the Parti Quebecois, there are many people -- French and English -- who support his vision, including the group Citizens for Democratic and Autonomous Public Schools (www.acdsa.org). Chris Eustace, Montreal. © National Post 2007 **********************************************
IN NEW YORK
CITY, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE A VIABLE AND
SUCCESSFUL ALTERNATIVE TO SCHOOL BOARDS. ********************************************** < |
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