A Long-Awaited Decision, but Still Inadequate

Workforce Optimization Measure
A Long-Awaited Decision, but Still Inadequate

The withdrawal of the workforce optimization measure represents a step in the right direction. This decision will finally provide a little more flexibility to school boards and service centers, enabling them to better meet the needs of their students.

For example, a school service center in the Montérégie region was facing the threat of being unable to use $4.6 million of funding if the full-time equivalent (FTE) targets were not met. A letter addressed to the general directors of the school boards and service centers this summer stated that the target “must be met,” which led to considerable caution on the part of the school boards and service centers, due to the complexity of calculating FTEs.

A recent letter from Deputy Minister Carole Arav states that despite the withdrawal of the workforce optimization measure, “the FTE target is an essential indicator of budget compliance; you are still required to rigorously monitor your FTE level throughout the year.”

The threshold for exceeding authorized FTEs has been changed from 10% to 30%. In the example of the above-mentioned school service center, the target was 1,585 FTEs. The previous authorized maximum was 10%, or 1,744 FTEs. It could now reach 2,060 FTEs. However, the Deputy Minister reiterates that “the requirement to respect the budgetary framework remains.”

This withdrawal comes late, and budgetary restrictions persist. There is therefore no guarantee that any school boards or service centers will be able to increase their number of FTEs.

The announced flexibility must now be actually implemented on the ground. It is estimated that there is still a shortage of nearly 2,000 special education technicians compared to last year. The lack of services persists in our schools, and staff are exhausted.

The FPSS-CSQ will remain vigilant to ensure that the allocated funds are actually used in school boards and service centers.

We cannot manage education with administrative constraints that hinder services to students. What is needed now is a complete restoration of education budgets.