Steve Bartha

English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 36,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, our network consists of more than 70 schools and centres. It is the elected council of commissioners which runs the affairs of the EMSB. This 11 member body oversees a budget of more than $280 million. The funds are supplied through grants from the provincial government and, to a lesser extent, through local school taxation. EMSB schools and centres work in conjunction with governing boards, which are made up of an equal number of parents and staff, along with the principal or centre director. In addition, representatives of the community and students in the second cycle of high school are members of the governing board, but they do not have the right to vote. There are also two regional parents' committees and one Central Parents' Committee (CPC). Along with advising the board on all issues relating to schools and parents, the CPC annually appoints two of its members to sit on the council of commissioners. Parents are also members of the EMSB special education and transportation committees.