QESBA sees big savings in move to Dorval

For the first time in 40 years, the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) has moved. The association occupied the same space on downtown’s Stanley St. for most of its 88-year life—save for a 10 year period over four decades ago—and expects to save between $20-$25,000 per year by moving to Dorval.

The $30,000 relocation on April 7 has been in the works for over two years. “Obviously there’s a cost consideration, and like all of our school board members, we’re looking to keep our costs as low as possible and downtown Montreal is expensive,” said Marcus Tabachnick, executive director of the QESBA.

In the old location, parking alone cost $18,000 a year, but is included in the rent of the new office at 185 Dorval Ave.

“I was the chair of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, and even then I was questioning the rent and parking cost,” said Tabachnick, who chaired the LBPSB for 17 years, and has over 20 years’ experience in public education.

The move was overdue, he said. “We’re funded by member board fees and we’re continuously looking for ways to be more efficient so that the fees can stay at a reasonable level.”

Room of one’s own

The office space has more than doubled, from 2,000 square feet to 4,200, and is no longer a shared space, as it was downtown, meaning they no longer have to book room time or share equipment. Furniture in the new office is modular and can adapt to make classroom spaces.

Accessibility was a major criteria for the new location, that is close to the airport, highways and train station. The QESBA works with all nine English school boards in the province. Ideally the association would have preferred to be in a school building, but the option turned out to be too steep an investment.

“The bottom line is it will be able to serve our members better. We’ll be in full control of our own video conferencing room and all the rest of the support services that we provide to them, so it will be a good move for the association and a good move for all the member boards,” said Tabachnick.

Year in review

The past year has been “unusual” for the association thanks to Bill 86, Tabachnick explained. The QESBA is normally focused on professional development for school commissioners as well as government relations. Much of the year has been spent travelling the province speaking to parents and school boards.

The school board reform bill is an act to modify school board governance and ensure parents’ presence in the school board’s decision making body. Hearings on Bill 86 wrapped last week in Quebec City.

Regardless of the outcome of Bill 86, Tabachnick is not concerned with the future of the QESBA, only with the quality of education for students. “School boards will continue . . . Bill 86 will come and go and we’re still going to have to work with the government. It’s about keeping focus on the kids.”