CSDM budget cuts could eliminate 20 speech therapist jobs
Teachers worry support staff, librarians could also be cut at Montreal's largest French school board
Teachers at Montreal's largest French-language school board are concerned that looming budget cuts will mean students won't have access to the help they need.
The Commission Scolaire de Montréal (CSDM) may abolish 20 speech therapist positions across its schools, Radio-Canada has learned.
- CSDM sees school maintenance budget slashed by $40M
- Photos reveal poor state of many Montreal schools
- CSDM warns budget cuts will hurt school services
Irénée-Lussier school, which is devoted to teaching students with learning difficulties and special needs, will reportedly be the hardest hit.
Eight speech therapists are at risk of losing their jobs at the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve school if the board proceeds with the plan.
"It's worrying because we thought that we can't cut anymore after last year," Marilène Prévost, a teacher at the school, said.
"We thought that was enough."
Feeling frustrated, Prévost and a colleague created a Facebook group last week to evaluate what the situation was like in other schools.
- Montreal's school boards get millions for infrastructure
- Quebec Budget 2016: $2B surplus, but little spending wiggle room
The group quickly grew to 2,000 members, with many saying their teachers face similar challenges due to budget cuts.
Members claim librarians, vice-principals, support staff and other employees may also lose their jobs in the coming months.
Union says more jobs will be cut
The Montreal Teachers Alliance estimates 40 positions in total could be eliminated if the board's belt-tightening plan goes forward.
"It's huge," Catherine Renaud, the president of the Montreal Teachers Alliance, said.
"They're going to have to tell students and parents that while they had services this year, that they won't them have next year -— even if they need them."
With files from Radio-Canada's Pasquale Harrison-Julien