EMSB delays vote on special-education staffing cuts

The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) postponed a vote Tuesday on a staffing proposal that could reduce positions linked to special education services, amid conflicting accounts over the scale of reductions and growing concern from union representatives about the impact on students with higher needs.

Commissioners voted to table the resolution for one week so the board can seek a legal opinion as part of its ongoing court challenge against the Quebec government over education funding rules and restrictions on how it can use accumulated surplus funds.

EMSB spokesperson Mike Cohen said commissioners wanted more certainty before moving ahead. "The councillors decided to do their due diligence. They're going to get a legal opinion," Cohen said. "We've been in court with the government since last fall disputing the cuts that they made and the fact that we're not allowed to use our accumulated surplus."

The board reduced a projected deficit of nearly $8 million to just under $3 million this year through internal adjustments but expects greater financial pressure ahead. Cohen said the staffing changes have been mischaracterized publicly.

"There are 17 posts that are not included in the staffing plan," he said. "It doesn't mean anyone's getting abolished or losing their jobs. It means that in August when we come back and we start staffing for the year, right now there's 17 less positions."

Union representatives dispute that interpretation, saying the broader proposal would result in far deeper reductions once all staffing adjustments are included.