EMSB Adopts Important Changes to its Administrative Organizational Structure

At a public board meeting held today under the leadership of EMSB Trustee Marlene Jennings, a resolution was adopted approving important changes to the administrative organizational structure of the English Montreal School Board. 

‘’Today’s announcement is the result of a 10-month process of in-depth analysis, benchmarking, consultations and planning completed with the external support of our consultants,” said Ms. Jennings. “Our objectives are to modernize EMSB’s administrative structure, implement stronger governance and management practices at the board, while maximizing the support of EMSB head office towards schools and centres – to the direct benefit of all students.’’

Overview of the main administrative organizational structure changes 

The adopted changes include namely the following: 

• The Adult Education and Vocational Services (AEVS) Department will see all its resources migrate to the existing Education Services, School Organization, Human Resources, Financial Services and Students Services departments.
• The Legal Services/Compliance Department will now report to the Director General; the Internal Audit Department will as well for administrative purposes, and to the Audit Committee for functional purposes. A new position of Director of Audit will also be created. The Communications Division will also fall under the Director General.
• Regional Directors, who were formally assigned geographic territories, will now become Sector Directors (Elementary, Secondary, Adult and Vocational Services).
• The Assistant Director General, Education, role will be expanded to include the Innovation function, while adding new resources.
• The Information and Technology Services Department will now report to the Assistant Director General, Administration.
• The Procurement function will be migrated under the Material Resources Department. 

‘’The very positive changes announced today will have a direct or indirect impact on each department and function at the board and will be mainly implemented over the course of the current school year,” said Ms. Jennings. “A second phase of changes impacting specific departments will be considered by the board later this fall. Today marks a major milestone in my mandate as trustee and I wish to acknowledge and sincerely thank the EMSB’s senior management team for their hard work and dedication to this important process.’’

These changes are not motivated by Bill 40, Ms. Jennings maintains that they are permanent, irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing court challenges. She emphasizes that the new organizational structure is compliant with Bill 40 requirements. 

Update regarding the recruitment of a new Director General

EMSB Trustee Marlene Jennings also confirmed today that the recruitment process for the position of EMSB Director General, currently held in the interim since August 13, 2020 by Evelyne Alfonsi, was following its due process. The posting is expected to be made public later this week.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 44,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, our network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.