Government-imposed cuts to elementary and high-school education are forcing an English school board that serves the Chateauguay Valley to make tough decisions, likely to have a direct impact on children.

The New Frontiers School Board is inviting parents to participate in decisions on where to cutback $1.1 million as changes begin to take shape.

“In order to cut, you have to have fringe, or fat. There is no fat in schools. It's all bare essentials. I have no idea where they're going to propose cuts,” said Anita Montreuil, whose children attend Heritage School, located in Huntingdon and serving several local communities.

The Parti Quebecois announced $200 million in cuts in education in the fall, in both English and French systems, to balance its budget.

Running on a $40-million budget, finding $1.1 million in cuts isn't simple, said David Daoust, chairman of the board.

“We only control 15 per cent of that budget. The rest is held in fixed costs for things like energy, repairs, teachers’ salary, board staff, administrative salaries.” He explained.

The situation is more problematic in rural towns, where the options are usually limited to closing the smaller schools.

“I hope that when people make that decision, they'll think of pedagogical reasons to close the schools,” said Daoust. “By that I mean by regrouping schools to offer sufficient services or even more services.”

Parent commissioner Raymond Ledoux said he wonders if the board shouldn't look at other alternatives, because higher school taxes are out of the question.

“We're already contributing to lunch-hour supervision and all kinds of stuff. Parents are down to the bones too. We're not multimillionaires, we're just working folks,” he said.

The board says it will invite parents to public hearings later this month so everyone can have a say on how and where these cuts will take place. 

Montreuil said she fears that closing any rural school could kill small English communities like hers.

“There are activities that go on. It's a pillar of our community,” she said.

The consultation process is set to begin. The board has mailed a letter to parents of all 4000 students attending their schools.

Those parents and all those concerned are invited to attend two public meetings in the coming weeks:

  • April 23rd at 6 p.m. at Howick Elementary School in Howick
  • May 14 at the Howard S. Billings Regional High School in Chateauguay

Those who can’t attend may submit their ideas in writing directly to the school board.