The question itself, as well as the thoughts and information provided by Peter Black in this [past] week’s Commentary (see Sept. 10 edition) are certainly worth reflecting seriously upon.

The government of Québec terminated elected school boards in the French-language school system in February of 2020. Elections in the French boards had very low participation rates, and as such, not many citizens fought to keep the electoral system. Today, these same citizens wonder why they have no word at the table – in fact, there is no table. The so-called “conseils d’administration” have no real power, and the director general is directly accountable to the minister. With all due respect to directors general, it’s not a good thing to bite the hand that feeds you and can remove you at any time.

The nine English-language school boards [in the province] have been fighting for years against the idea of abolishing school boards. Elected officials, be they acclaimed or voted in, are men and women that you can call upon when you feel that there is reason to question school authorities. They can be reached, they can listen and they can solicit meetings with the school board’s administration, as well as with government officials. Again, a DG would be ill advised to even question ministerial authority – retirement might come very rapidly.

In my mind, acclamation simply means that the people who represent us are doing a fine job and can be counted on. The future of our children should not depend on political rivalry and the sometimes mean campaigns that ensue.

Yes, there can be differing viewpoints and the consequential need to choose the best person. But please do not underestimate the value of those men and women who take up the challenge to fight for all of our children. Let us not confuse apathy with confidence.

Thank you, Peter Black, for bringing this issue to your readers, and thank you for reminding them that without dedicated and elected school commissioners, New Liverpool Elementary School as well as the new 21st-century high school for the Greater Quebec Metropolitan Area might still be interesting ideas!

Stephen Burke*

Quebec City

*The writer was chair of the Central Québec School Board Council of Commissioners from 2009 to 2024.