Quebec school boards ran a collective $141 million dollar surplus last year, but the president of the Quebec Federation of School Boards says given that the annual school board budget is $11 billion, the surplus is modest.
Alain Fortier tells the Journal de Montreal that the extra money is a result of sound school board management.
An official with the Quebec Education Ministry says it is more the result of a number of initiatives including a collective agreement with teachers that greatly reduces benefit costs and the rental of school rooms, gymnasiums and other facilities to private groups.
Currently, the board's are only permitted to redirect 15% of their surplus to student services but the Federation is asking the government for permission to use the entire surplus.