PROCESS FOR MAJOR SCHOOL CHANGE FOR THE
ENGLISH MONTREAL SCHOOL BOARD
A public notice on or before April 1 from the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) for
Major School Change is the beginning of a consultation process on the reorganization of
the network of schools that, among other things, may lead to the modification or the
revocation of the Deed of Establishment of schools1 and consequently, the modification to
the Three-Year Plan.
On an annual basis, the Long Range Planning Committee reviews and analyzes the
demographic projections and the need for student places in our schools. In any given year
at the regular March Board Meeting, the English Montreal School Board shall by
resolution, name a school or schools for which it proposes to initiate Major School Changes
based on proposed recommendations considered by the Long Range Planning Committee.
These proposals may include:
Closing a school and relocation of students
Relocating a school and relocation of students
Changes to a school’s program or levels offered
Changes to the use of a school building
The resolution specifies the dates for the consultation period, for the public meetings
(hearings), and for Council’s decision. The resolution is accompanied by documentation on
the proposed recommendation and made available on the EMSB website. Consultative
partners and interested parties are given the opportunity to examine the implications of the
reorganization of the network and to develop, prepare and submit written briefs in response.
The consultation may include meetings between representatives of the Long Range
Planning Committee and the governing boards, principals and centre principals of affected
schools. If requested, a presentation may be made to representatives of the Central Parents’
Committee.
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1
For the purposes of this document, the term “schools” refers to all facilities in the Youth, Adult Education
and Vocational Training sectors.
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To summarize Section 212 of The Education Act and the principles, guidelines and
timetable in the EMSB policy “Maintenance or Closure of Schools/Centres” 2, the actual
consultation period begins with the public notice of intent given no later than April 1st via
the newspaper and the EMSB website. The preparation of the briefs by the consultative
partners should be submitted by November 10, a time frame to this point of about 8
months. The public hearings are scheduled in early December at the latest. The Board’s
decision is effected in January and allows administration time to make the changes for the
August/September start-up of schools. Therefore, the total time frame for proposal,
discussion, decision-making and implementation of voted action is eighteen (18) months.
The briefs should be submitted to the respective school’s Deputy Director Generals, to the
centre’s Regional Director for AEVS and, in the case of the Central Parents’ Committee,
ACSES and affected municipalities and boroughs, to the Director General by no later than
Monday, November 10, 2014. The briefs will be packaged and distributed to the Council of
Commissioners and to the Long Range Planning Committee to serve as a basis for
discussion at the hearings.
Only consultative partners who have previously expressed their intention to speak to the
Council of Commissioners to the brief that they have submitted will be scheduled to
participate in the hearings. Each oral presentation should last about 30 minutes which
includes time for questions and clarifications. Consultative partners may also share their
allocated time with other members of their community. A forty-five (45) minute period at
the end of each evening of a public hearing may be set aside to address concerns and to
allow for questions.
Final recommendations are determined by the Long Range Planning Committee after the
hearings and submitted to the Council of Commissioners for consideration. Decisions will
be made at a special January meeting of the Council of Commissioners to be held no later
than two weeks prior to the registration period.
Any concerns or clarifications to the above process should be directed to Ms Paola Miniaci,
Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee, by post (6000 Fielding Avenue, Room 113,
Montréal, Quebec H3X 1T4) or email at [email protected].
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2
The policy is available on the EMSB website under Governance – Board Policies – Maintenance or Closures
of Schools.
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TIMELINE SUMMARY
18 Month Process for Major School Change
that includes the consultation on two (2) Three-Year Plans for two (2) consecutive July 1
March Board Meeting - Presentation of proposed recommendations for September #2; consultation
begins on proposals approved for consultation (1st month of 18 month process)
April Board Meeting– Approval for consultation on Three-Year Plan that will take effect for
September #1 that includes proposals currently being consulted for September #2 ; consult with CPC,
municipalities on EMSB territory, and the affected governing boards and boroughs of proposed
recommendations
June Board Meeting- Consultation ends and seek Board approval for Three-Year Plan that takes
effect July 1 for September #1
September #1 School Openings
December Hearings on proposed recommendations that were approved for consultation at March
Board Meeting
January Decisions on proposed recommendations presented in March; Three-Year Plan to be revised
by decisions taken for September #2 to be submitted to the Board in April for approval for consultation
April Board Meeting– Begin consultation on Three-Year Plan that will take effect for September #2;
consult only with CPC and municipalities on EMSB territory
June Board Meeting- Consultation ends, seek Board approval for Three-Year Plan that takes effect
for July 1 for September #2
September #2 School Openings (18 month process of Major School Change completed)
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Some definitions of “consultation”:
Webster’s Dictionary:
con-sult vt 1 obselete a : to deliberate on : DISCUSS b : to take counsel to bring
about : DEVISE, CONTRIVE 2 a : to ask advice of : seek the opinion of : apply to for
information or instruction <~a doctor about an ailment> b : to refer to esp. for
information <~a dictionary> 3 : to have prudent regard to : have an eye to :
CONSIDER <~one‘s pocketbook before buying> ~verb intransitive : to take counsel :
deliberate together : CONFER <after ~ing with a lawyer>
Oxford Dictionary:
con-sult, v.t. & intr. Take counsel (with person or book); seek information or advice
from (person, book); take a night for reflection; take into consideration (feelings,
interests); ~ing physician, (who is called in by colleagues or applied to by patients for
advice in special cases).
Roget’s College Thesaurus:
consult vi advise, confer, counsel, discuss, consider.
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