Contrary to a report in the May 26 Montreal Gazette, the city’s English-language schools will not eliminate 14 part-time library-technician positions as a cost-cutting measure. Faced with a $5-million deficit, the English Montreal School Board considered many proposals at its meeting on May 26, including one to replace library staff with volunteers.
However, according to spokesman Michael Cohen, the board retained its technicians and recommended hiring others, as funds permit, for the 32 other English-speaking schools staffed only by volunteers.
The board also faces the possibility that Quebec’s Ministry of Education will, as part of a province-wide curriculum-reform measure to take effect in 2001, recommend that the schools establish “satellite libraries” in classrooms.
Posted June 7, 1999.