CSDM receives $15M from Quebec

Montreal's largest French-language school board will no longerabolish dozens of jobs after it struck a deal with the Quebec government.

The Commission scolaire de Montralreceived$15 million in extra funding from Quebec as part of a new, last-minuteagreement.

• CSDM budget cuts could eliminate 20 speech therapist jobs
• CSDMsees school maintenance budget slashed by $40M
• Photos reveal poor state of many Montreal schools

The money will be spentto maintain staff positions to help students with special needs and learning difficulties.

Last week, teachers were concerned about theschool board's new belt-tightening plan. The school boardwas considering abolishing 20 speech therapist positions across it schools in order to balance its budget.

Irne-Lussierschool, which is devoted to teachingstudents with learning difficulties and special needs, was in danger of losing eight speech therapists.

Several schools in lower-income neighbourhoods will also benefit from the additional funding.